NGO offers free colostomy bags to patients

LINDA SOKO TEMBO writes

@SunZambian

AN organization to provide free colostomy bags to persons in need across Zambia has been formed in Lusaka.

Founder member Benjamin Lungu said the group decided to form Stomacare Support Zambia (SSZ) after some of the members had experienced challenges in securing the colostomy bags as they too were patients.

In an interview with the Sun, SSZ publicity Secretary, Benjamin Lungu said the group desired to assist other patients who could not afford to buy the colostomy bags and the necessary accessories.

He said the company would work to supplement government efforts in ensuring that more ostomy patients with ostomy can access the bags.

“Government hospitals do not either have the bags or give them for free, so patients have to buy them and they are not cheap. But as an organization, we will be giving the bags freely,” said Mr Lungu.

A colostomy bag is an artificial storage tank for urine and fecal matter attached to patients through a collection plastic tube inserted into the abdomen.

“We are aware of the efforts that government is making to ensure we have access to good health services and facilities countrywide and so, we as an organisation will support those efforts by giving these bags for free to patients with ostomy,” he said.  

Mr Lungu disclosed that a United States based donor had donated over 4,000 colostomy bags and its accessories to his organization and that the organsiation was appealing to patients with ostomy to come forward and access them.

“We are looking for people who suffer from the condition so that we could give them the bags for free, we are working in conjunction with the Ministry of Health,” Mr Lungu said.  

 “We are calling upon all those in need of colostomy bags to get in touch with us and partners are welcome,” he said.