In the UK we complain about waiting to see our GP. But in rural Zambia access to health care is a problem of a different order. In fact, only 60% of Zambians have satisfactory access to health clinics and this contributes to some of the highest levels of infant and maternal mortality in the world.

Take Nchute, 50km to the east of Lusaka in Zambia. Here, the reality is that people walk for up eight hours to their nearest health centre.

As well as high levels of infant morality, many illnesses that could be easily treated are not being diagnosed due to the long journey and very often lead to death.

Dr Masika has approached Build IT to see if we can help with a new clinic. He has committed to providing equipment and staff. He explains the difference a clinic will make;

People here have to walk over 10km to the nearest health post. Most of the maternal and infant death is happening because women are forced to have a home delivery. But with the construction of a health post we would be able to have a health worker who would provide this important service.

Charity Lubingo, our co-ordinator in Zambia, has held a series of meetings with the local community and agreement has been given in principle to develop a project. Land has been secured and a committee of fourteen local men and women has been formed.

She has been very impressed with the determination of the Nchute community to make this project a reality. Already, they are collecting sand and crushing stones.The new health post will serve sixteen villages benefitting more than 2,500 people.

Funding proposals have been prepared and a donor identified. We are optimistic that this will be confirmed in December for work to start next April.