First Lady Brings Hope to Rural Hospital with Major Donation

Songs and celebrations filled the usually quiet grounds of Monze Mission Hospital as First Lady Mutinta Hichilema arrived with a convoy of essential supplies for patients and staff.

The donation, which included food supplies, medical equipment and sewing machines for local women's cooperatives, represents part of Mrs Hichilema's ongoing commitment to supporting healthcare and economic empowerment in rural communities.

Among the supplies delivered were 200 bags of mealie meal, 100 bags of rice, 80 bales of sugar, 1,200 bottles of cooking oil, 20 wheelchairs, 100 mattresses and 200 blankets - items that will directly impact patient care at the facility.

In a particularly poignant moment, the First Lady spent time in the hospital's postnatal ward, distributing baby hampers to new mothers and their infants. The gesture highlighted the personal touch she brings to her charitable work, moving beyond formal donations to direct engagement with beneficiaries.

"We build a society rooted in compassion, dignity and hope when we lift others up," Mrs Hichilema wrote on social media following the visit.

The initiative extends beyond healthcare, with 120 sewing machines set to be distributed among women and youth cooperatives across Southern Province. This economic empowerment component reflects a broader strategy to foster financial independence, particularly among women in rural areas.

Mrs Hichilema praised the country's healthcare workers as "heroes whose daily sacrifices often come with little recognition," acknowledging their central role in maintaining the nation’s health system despite challenging conditions.

The donation was made possible through partnerships with several organisations, including the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), Zambia Sugar Plc, Blue Copper and the Chinese Association of Zambia.