Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has commissioned new, state of the art x-ray medical facilities at its Nchanga South Hospital valued at over $US 135,000.

The x-ray facilities are expected to speed up radiological diagnostic services for the KCM medical services which currently serve a catchment population of over 63,000 in four towns, namely: Chililabombwe, Chingola, Kitwe and Nampundwe.

Chingola District Commissioner Mary Chibesa, who commissioned the facilities, said that the facilities would not only benefit mine employees and commended KCM for their longstanding partnership with the Government to delivering quality healthcare.

“My government appreciates the long standing relationship with KCM and it is our desire to sustain this mutual cooperation aimed at improving the quality of life of the Zambian people,” she said.

Acting KCM CEO Enock Mponda reiterated KCM’s commitment to the health and safety of its employees as top priority and stated that the company would continue to ensure that the health and safety of its workforce remained paramount as it embarks on its rigorous growth plan.

“The health and safety of the people working at KCM is the number one priority for management. By firstly providing our employees with the best possible health care and ensuring that everyone is healthy and well, only then can we can focus on growing production and taking KCM to even greater heights,” he said.

KCM Manager for Medical Services Edward Chilekwa hailed the new facilities as a big step in raising the standards of radiological diagnostic services and overall patient care at the KCM medical facilities.

“The x-ray machine to be commissioned today is something we have been looking forward to and it couldn’t have come at a better time than this as it will help us improve diagnostic quality. I am positive that this upgrade will enable our staff to serve patients in much more efficient manner,” Dr. Chilekwa said.