Investment Beyond the Grid: ZESCO Supports Sande Village Rural Health Post
By Desmond Katongo
Every power generation station built comes at a cost to the community, whose land is sacrificed for the greater good. And beyond every electron generated is a pregnant mother seeking suitable health conditions to deliver a bouncing baby.
With its electricity generation and transmission infrastructure dotted both in urban and rural Zambia, ZESCO Limited is committed to delivering community support beyond its mandate, recognizing the sacrifices made by communities hosting its power generation stations.
ZESCO on Saturday, 8 November 2025, donated assorted items to Sande Village Rural Health Centre, a health post located in Chief Mabumba's Chiefdom, Mansa District, as part of its Corporate Social Investment program.
The health post, which serves a population of 4,218 people and over 300 patients a month, faces numerous challenges, including lack of access to electricity and essential medical supplies.
Gershom Chimpinde, a Registered Nurse Midwife, expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting the impact of the support on reducing infections and improving maternal healthcare.
"We are requesting help to build a maternity annex to be separate from the main building because of the large population that we are yet to service," Chimpinde said. "The facility is also currently operating without electricity, due to vandalised infrastructure—making it hard for us to deliver during the night."
ZESCO Board Chairperson Vickson Ncube assured staff at Sande Hospital of the utility's continued support, acknowledging the country's reliance on ZESCO and the need for further investment in community development.
"My wish would have been to deliver a solar solution where I know the ladies will be delivering with light and not light from a phone," Mr. Ncube said. "I pick the concerns and take them to heart and will see what we can do to solve the problem."
The donation included essential items such as baby diapers, BP machines, and maternity sanitary pads, aiming to improve healthcare services at the rural health post.
With the Mansa 50MW solar plant expected to be inaugurated by year-end, Sande Village Rural Health Post is anticipated to benefit from improved energy access, enhancing its ability to provide quality healthcare services.
Earlier in the day, the ZESCO Board Chairperson, Board Member, and the Corporate Executive Team paid a courtesy call on His Royal Highness Chief Mabumba’s Palace.