HEALTH Deputy Minister, Solomon Musonda has said the on-going construction of theatre blocks in Lusaka's Chipata, Chaisa, Kanyama, Matero and Chilenje townships will cost about K5.2billion.

Dr Musonda said the essence of constructing the theatre blocks was to turn the clinics into first-level hospitals.

He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he toured Matero, Kanyama and Chilenje clinics.

Dr Musonda said not only would the new structures decongest the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), but they would also reduce on time for operations at UTH and make the appointment time for patients shorter.

"We want these theatre blocks to be completed by the end of next month so that people can have referral hospitals closer to them in the quickest possible time," he said.

Dr Musonda said the Government was expecting to see change in the health system by the year 2010 since donors had resumed funding to the Ministry of Health.

The deputy minister said he was convinced that Meanwood Construction was the best for the job as they were efficient and hardworking.