Zambia: Construction of Health Staff House Improves Service Delivery in Mtenguleni

A staff house is essential for attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural areas. Without proper accommodation, healthcare workers are reluctant to work in remote areas, leading to staffing shortages and compromised healthcare services.

The stalled construction of a two-bedroom house for health personnel at the Katintha health facility in the Mtenguleni area was revived through the efforts of the local social accountability monitoring (SAM) group. Their persistent follow up with the council and contractor, coupled with reports by Diamond Television in December 2023, expedited the project’s completion.

The construction of the house ensured suitable accommodation for healthcare workers, thereby enhancing their retention and morale, which in turn improved healthcare service delivery within the community. The SAM group, council, contractor, and community members played pivotal roles in this change process. The process began in 2021 with the allocation of government funds and ended in December 2023 with the construction of the house.

The Partnership for Social Accountability (PSA) Alliance trained the SAM groups in monitoring and evaluation and social accountability that enabled them to effectively engage the contractors and council staff and oversee the construction of the house. Transparent budgeting and procurement processes ensured that funds were allocated appropriately, and regular monitoring ensured that construction milestones were met. Additionally, community engagement and oversight committees ensured that construction standards were upheld.

The health facility, which serves 6,190 people, witnessed a significant improvement in service delivery with the addition of staff and resources. As of 2024, staffing of the facility increased with the recruitment of an environmental health technologist, two nurses, and a community development worker. As a direct outcome of collaborative efforts between the community and government stakeholders, access to healthcare services improved, including essential medications and testing kits for the 14 villages and five feeder villages serviced by the facility.

Gender responsive and transparent budgeting processes and monitoring mechanisms now ensure that government allocates funds based on community priorities and that the facility has adequate staffing levels and essential medical supplies.