Pope Francis donates Ventilators to Zambia

Mwenya Mukuka – Lusaka, Zambia

Presenting the donation, the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone announced that the donation which includes medical items such as N95 surgical masks was a gift from Pope Francis to support the needs of Zambia in the fight against the pandemic.

Pope Francis’ concern for Africa re COVID-19

“The Holy Father is helping all African countries by sending a small contribution. It is his concern towards those who are suffering and do not have the necessary means,” said the Nuncio.

Archbishop Gallone also relayed the Holy Father’s concern for those that have lost jobs and those suffering from food shortages.

The ventilators will be used at the Cardinal Adam Memorial Hospital in Lusaka, Chilonga Mission Hospital in Muchinga Province and St. Dominic’s Mission Hospital on the Copperbelt Province.

The Zambian Church’s gratitude

Archbishop Gallone delivered the items to the Bishop of Monze, Moses Hamungole, in Lusaka, this week.

And receiving the donation on behalf of the Bishops' Conference, Bishop Hamungole thanked the Holy Father for the donation. He assured the Nuncio that the ventilators would be used for the benefit of critically ill patients in the recipient hospitals.

“We want to assure you that we shall continue to respond to the invitation of His Holiness, Pope Francis, to be close to those who suffer the most. These ventilators will benefit critically ill patients in the named hospitals,” Bishop Hamungole said.

By Friday 29 May 2020, Zambia had recorded 1,057 Covid-19 cases, with 779 recovered and 7 deaths.

Ventilators will make our work manageable

Speaking on behalf of St. Dominic’s’ Mission Hospital and all beneficiary health facilities, Sr. Elizabeth Njovu thanked the Holy Father for the donation. She promised that the ventilators would ultimately help them save lives and make their work manageable.

And representing the government at the occasion, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Kennedy Malama acknowledged the Catholic Church’s efforts in the delivery of health services in the country.