Acting Minister of Health, Cornelius Mweetwa, has called for the quick completion of a medical operation theatre at Request Muntanga Level One Hospital in Kalomo District of Southern Province to cut down on patient referrals to other towns.

Mr Mweetwa said this when he visited the hospital after receiving a report on operational challenges from the Hospital In-charge, Benson Vomo, who cited the lack of an operation  theatre at the institution resulting in the health facility referring patients that need specialised services to either Choma or Livingstone hospitals.

Meanwhile, Mr Mweetwa, who is also Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, expressed happiness with the availability of essential drug stocks at the hospital, which stands at 90 percent.

He, however, took a swipe at people who resort to social media, purporting that most health facilities in the country do not have the necessary essential drugs, urging them to refrain from misinforming the public.

And, Dr Vomo also has lamented over the inadequate transport at the institution, saying the health facility has no reliable ambulance or utility vehicle despite having a reliable workforce of 140 personnel.