Yesterday, mothers at Mangango Mission Hospital could not hide their joy as a long-awaited mothers’ Shelter valued at K781,000 was officially handed over to the community, complete with beds and a reliable water supply.
For the expectant mothers gathered under the warm Mangango sun to witness the handover ceremony, the moment was deeply joyous.
For years, pregnancy here came with fear of travelling long distances on rough roads, fear of arriving too late at the hospital, fear of complications far from professional help.
Many women carried those fears quietly, because there was simply no alternative.
That story has now changed.
The new mothers’ shelter, part of Mangango Constituency lawmaker’s ambitious programme to provide adequate Health Care Service Centres for the constituents, stands as a symbol of dignity and hope for a community often described as remote.
Speaking on behalf of the District Director of Health Dr. Idi Mwinyi, Kaoma District Health planner Mr. Lawrence Shabalala said, for years the lack of a mothers’ shelter at Mangango Mission Hospital severely affected service delivery.
Mr. Shabalala said expectant mothers were forced to make long, exhausting journeys while heavily pregnant, often staying with relatives or sleeping in unsafe conditions as they waited for labour to begin. Some arrived too late. Some never made it at all.
“Now, mothers can stay close to skilled health workers as they await childbirth—safe, supported, and monitored. It is a simple change with life-saving consequences,” Said Mr. Shabalala.
The handover ceremony was presided over by District Commissioner Mrs. Kashina Muyambango Sheba, who said the shelter reflects Government’s resolve to ensure equal access to quality healthcare.
“Mangango Mission Hospital deserves the same dignity of care as every part of the district,” she said. “No community should feel forgotten,” said the District Commissioner.
Mangango Member of Parliament, Honourable Mwene Luhamba, commended Government for the continued investment in health infrastructure, noting that the project aligns with national efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and protect the most vulnerable.
Kaoma Town Council Chairperson, Councillor Tauzeni Libinga, described the shelter as more than a building—it is a promise.
“For mothers giving birth, for children needing urgent care, for patients requiring surgery, and for health workers striving against the odds, this facility represents a turning point,” he said.
As the shelter opens its doors, the mood at Mangango Mission Hospital is one of renewed confidence. Laughter replaces anxiety. Smiles replace uncertainty. For the mothers who will rest here before welcoming new life into the world, hope has finally found a home.
And with it, Mangango rises stronger, healthier, and firmly connected to the heartbeat of the nation.
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