Scribe 24

12/04/2023

A SPIKE IN CHILD MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WORRIES GOVT

12th April, 2023

By Kelvin Phiri

HEALTH Minister Sylvia Masebo says the country has continued to grapple with child morbidity and mortality.

Ms Masebo has however noted that government has been implementing various programs aimed at mitigating the situation.

Meanwhile, Ms Masebo has also disclosed that Non-Communicable Diseases-NCDs have significantly contributed to the health burden in the country.

She said NCDs account for approximately twenty seven per cent of all causes of death.

"Common NCDs recorded include hypertension, diabetes, cancers, mental illnesses and trauma, mostly due to road traffic accidents," she revealed.

Ms Masebo notes that to mitigate the effect of NCDs, government has come up with policies to guide interventions for NCDs, enhanced community education and awareness.

"The Health in All Policy-HiAP and the National Alcohol Policy have been developed and being implemented.

Government has continued to conduct routine assessment of the prevalence and incidence of NCDs to better inform planning and programming of interventions," she made the remarks in a speech read for her by Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration George Sinyangwe, during the World Health Day Commemoration held in Lusaka.

And World Health Organization-WHO Country Representative Nathan Bakyaita has commended Zambia for strides made in the fight against maternal and child mortality.

Dr Bakyaita has also observed that Zambia has seen a reduction in malaria mortality and morbidity owing to various interventions that government has put in place.

This year's commemoration was held under the theme "Promoting Health and Well-being for All Through Quality Health Services.”

23/03/2023

STATEMENT BY PRESS SECRETARY KIRSTEN ALLEN ON VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS’S TRAVEL TO GHANA, TANZANIA, AND ZAMBIA.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff will travel to Accra, Ghana; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Lusaka, Zambia from March 25 to April 2. The Vice President’s visit will build on the recent U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit that President Biden hosted in Washington in December 2022.

The trip will strengthen the United States’ partnerships throughout Africa and advance our shared efforts on security and economic prosperity.

Throughout the trip, in partnership with African governments and the private sector, the Vice President will advance efforts to expand access to the digital economy, support climate adaptation and resilience, and strengthen business ties and investment, including through innovation, entrepreneurship, and the economic empowerment of women.

The Vice President will meet with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, President Samia Hassan of Tanzania, and President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia to discuss regional and global priorities, including our shared commitment to democracy, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, food security, and the effects of Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine, among other issues.

The Vice President will strengthen people-to-people ties and engage with civil society, including young leaders, business representatives, entrepreneurs, and members of the African Diaspora.

Credit: The White House

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08/12/2022

MINISTRY OF HEALTH RECEIVE 18 OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS FROM THE WORLD BANK

Thursday-8th December, 2022

By Kelvin Phiri
THE World Bank has given the Ministry of Health 18 oxygen concentrators and accessories valued at over 300-hundred thousand kwacha.

Speaking when making a donation in Lusaka at the Ministry's head office, World Bank Country Manager Sahr Kpundeh says the gift is targeted at supporting Zambia in strengthening its pandemic preparedness and building resilient health systems.

Dr Kpundeh said the equipment will be used to treat patients with respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and Pneumonia.

He adds that the donated items will also enable clinicians to provide oxygen that is required for surgery and trauma management.

Dr Kpundeh has further observed that investment in such technological advancements will drive Zambia towards the attainment of a prosperous middle-income country by the year 2030.

And Health Minister Sylvia Masebo has called for the building of investments into health systems that will ensure the formulation of policies and guidelines that will support oxygen availability and access.

Ms Masebo has also requested the setting up of oxygen plants that will fit local needs and that will create a more sustainable and self-sufficient oxygen supply.

"Let us also invest in creating more reliable power supplies through solar energy. Let us look at the possibility of having Solar-powered oxygen concentrators," she said.

The Minister has since congratulated the World Bank for the timely gesture and has also assured the correct utilisation of the equipment.

This is a current affairs portal where news can be obtained as it happens. This page was also created

08/12/2022

MINISTRY OF HEALTH RECEIVE 18 OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS FROM THE WORLD BANK

Thursday-8th December, 2022

By Kelvin Phiri

THE World Bank has given the Ministry of Health 18 oxygen concentrators and accessories valued at over 300-hundred thousand kwacha.

Speaking when making a donation in Lusaka at the Ministry's head office, World Bank Country Manager Sahr Kpundeh says the gift is targeted at supporting Zambia in strengthening its pandemic preparedness and building resilient health systems.

Dr Kpundeh said the equipment will be used to treat patients with respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and Pneumonia.

He adds that the donated items will also enable clinicians to provide oxygen that is required for surgery and trauma management.

Dr Kpundeh has further observed that investment in such technological advancements will drive Zambia towards the attainment of a prosperous middle-income country by the year 2030.

And Health Minister Sylvia Masebo has called for the building of investments into health systems that will ensure the formulation of policies and guidelines that will support oxygen availability and access.

Ms Masebo has also requested the setting up of oxygen plants that will fit local needs and that will create a more sustainable and self-sufficient oxygen supply.

"Let us also invest in creating more reliable power supplies through solar energy. Let us look at the possibility of having Solar-powered oxygen concentrators," she said.

The Minister has since congratulated the World Bank for the timely gesture and has also assured the correct utilisation of the equipment.

This is a current affairs portal where news can be obtained as it happens. This page was also created

03/12/2022

Breaking News!

Former Kabwe Central Lawmaker and Famous Lawyer Tutwa Ngulube has died

This is a current affairs portal where news can be obtained as it happens. This page was also created

22/11/2022

FIRST-EVER ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE EXCITES MASEBO

22th November, 2022

By Kelvin Phiri

HEALTH Minister SYLVIA MASEBO has challenged environmental health practitioners to explore ways that will lead to a drastic reduction of the cost of providing health services.

Speaking when she graced the 3-day official opening of the first-ever national environmental health conference in Lusaka, Ms MASEBO says government places premium on environmental health as noted from the creation of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment.

Ms MASEBO said she is hopeful that the conference will devote some time to consider the Global One Health Concept which fosters research and practice that places priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide.

"...under this concept problems that transcend national borders like COVID-19 are also being addressed comprehensively," she said.

The Minister states that government will continue to provide support aimed at improving the health outcomes of the Zambian population.

She has further pledged needed support towards the environmental health profession with the focus to reposition the environmental health services in Zambia.

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22/11/2022

UNZA TRADE UNIONS CRY FOUL OVER LIEMPE FARM MILLING PLANT TAKE OVER BY A SECURITY WING

23.11.2022

THE three trade unions at the University of Zambia-UNZA have appealed to the Republican President Hakainde HIchilema to quickly intervene in resolving the Liempe Farm Milling Plant impasse in which the Zambia National Service-ZNS is named.

The University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers' Union-UNZALARU, the University of Zambia Professional Staff Union-UNZAPROSU and the University of Zambia and Allied Workers' Union-UNZAAWU are asking the government security wing to quickly release the milling plant and to vacate the land that rightfully belongs to the university.

Speaking to journalists at a joint presser in Chongwe, UNZALARU Acting president Tuesday Bwalya has described as shocking the takeover of the milling plant by a government wing without any due regard.

Dr Bwalya says the milling plant was intended to be a teaching and learning facility for students as well as an additional income stream for the institution.

He said the leading higher learning institution in Zambia has continued to suffer losses from the initiative to make money from the plant.

Meanwhile, the three trade Unions have also made an appeal to the Head of State Mr HIchilema to refrain political cadres from encroaching on its land located in Makeni , Bonaventure area.

He says despite the court injunction to bar cadres from invading and redistributing plots, the cadres have continued doing so with impunity.

This is a current affairs portal where news can be obtained as it happens. This page was also created

14/10/2022

ZAMBIAN JUDICIARY TO CONSIDER BROADCAST OF COURT CASES

By Rhodah Mvula

The Zambian judiciary has announced that it is considering allowing public interest court cases to be broadcast live.

Acording to chief justice Mumba Malila, the judiciary Policy Committee will convene in the first quarter of next year to discuss this matter.

Dr. Malila says there are a few things that the judiciary will need to consider before allowing broadcast court proceedings, such as security.

The Chief justice said this during the judiciary media engagement in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Dr. Malila has called for positive and fair criticism from members of the public on outcomes of certain court matters.

This is a current affairs portal where news can be obtained as it happens. This page was also created

07/10/2022

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE TOP KILLER-ZNPHI

Friday... October 7, 2022

By Kelvin Phiri
THE recently 2019, published global data report indicates that drug-resistant bacterial infections were responsible for up to 4.95 million deaths.

Zambia National Public Health Institute-ZNPHI Director General Roma Chilengi says 1.27 million of the total deaths were attributed to Antimicrobial resistance-AMR.

Professor Chilengi says the Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the greatest burden of resistant bacterial infections which accounts for 255-thousand of the 1.27-million global deaths.

He says it is further projected that if no measures are put in place by 2050, there would be more than 10 million AMR deaths and 28.3 million more people living in poverty.

Professor Chilengi says as part of the remedial measures, Zambia has developed a 10-year multi-sectoral Antimicrobial Resistance-AMR national action plan and that it is among the thirty-nine African countries in the region to have the AMR National Action Plan in place.

"Through this multi-sectoral Antimicrobial Resistance-AMR national action plan, Zambia has implemented various activities to fight AMR through a ‘’One-health’’ approach focusing on the five global action plan objectives,"Professor Chilengi said.

Professor Chilengi has however called for the development of the national AMR policy framework to guide the implementation of the activities across sectors.

He was speaking in Lusaka during the review and finalization of antimicrobial stewardship policy.

And East Central and Southern Africa- ECSA Health Commission Senior Control Officer Evelyn Wesangula says antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health threat and that the commission is keen on supporting the global response and commitments aimed at addressing antimicrobial resistance.

Dr Wesangula has also called on the countries in the region to actualize the national antimicrobial resistance plans.

Meanwhile, Antimicrobial Resistance National Coordinator Joseph Chizimu says the unavailability of policies and guidelines for antimicrobial resistance remains a challenge in developing countries.

Dr Chizimu has urged investment in human resource for antimicrobial resistance aimed at addressing some of the hurdles currently faced.

04/10/2022

ZAMBIAN STABBED TO DEATH IN SOUTH AFRICA

4th October, 2022

A Zambian National, based in South Africa was on Tuesday 27th September,2022 stabbed by unknown people in unexplained circumstances.

Goodson Chomba, 34, is said to have been stabbed several times and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Mother to the deceased, Anna Chama, confirmed the matter to the Zambia High Commission in Pretoria and that investigations have since been instituted after the matter was reported to Police in Port Elizabeth.

Goodson was a businessman who owned, among other businesses, a Driving School in South Africa.

This is contained in a statement released by the Zambian High Commission to South Africa

27/09/2022

GOVT GOES FOR TB ELIMINATION-MASEBO

Lusaka...September 27,2022

By Kelvin Phiri

HEALTH Minister SYLVIA MASEBO says the
COVID-19 pandemic had a disruptive effect on the implementation of tuberculosis-TB interventions.

Ms MASEBO says at the peak of the first wave of the corona virus pandemic, the country recorded an 18 per cent reduction in weekly TB notifications.

She said government through the ministry hastened to mount up a robust response program that extensively put in place mitigation measures.

" Central to our TB response to COVID-19 was the creation of the TB situation room. This situation room is our flagship intervention that has enhanced the use of data for decision-making and action.

Using this flagship intervention, we could effectively coordinate case-finding measures, provide strategic guidance, and sustain a stable supply chain for all essential commodities for TB," she said.

Ms MASEBO further noted that government has prioritized the attainment of the universal health coverage agenda in the 8th national development plan.

" Under this framework, we have prioritized primary health care as a bedrock of our health interventions. In the spirit of integration, we will ensure that TB screening is integrated into Maternal and Child Health services, and diabetic clinics," she said.

She pointed out that government is investing in human resource for health as evidenced by the recruitment of 11,326 health care workers recently.

"This additional workforce has contributed to reducing the doctor and nurse-patient ratio. These health care workers will contribute to service delivery regarding childhood and adolescent TB," she explained at an on-going African Region Consultative Meeting on the Elimination of Childhood and Adolescent Tuberculosis, taking place in the country's capital Lusaka.

27/09/2022

GOVT GOES FOR TB ELIMINATION-MASEBO

Lusaka...September 27,2022

By Kelvin Phiri

HEALTH Minister SYLVIA MASEBO says the
COVID-19 pandemic had a disruptive effect on the implementation of tuberculosis-TB interventions.

Ms MASEBO says at the peak of the first wave of the corona virus pandemic, the country recorded an 18 per cent reduction in weekly TB notifications.

She said government through the ministry hastened to mount up a robust response program that extensively put in place mitigation measures.

" Central to our TB response to COVID-19 was the creation of the TB situation room. This situation room is our flagship intervention that has enhanced the use of data for decision-making and action.

Using this flagship intervention, we could effectively coordinate case-finding measures, provide strategic guidance, and sustain a stable supply chain for all essential commodities for TB," she said.

Ms MASEBO further noted that government has prioritized the attainment of the universal health coverage agenda in the 8th national development plan.

" Under this framework, we have prioritized primary health care as a bedrock of our health interventions. In the spirit of integration, we will ensure that TB screening is integrated into Maternal and Child Health services, and diabetic clinics," she said.

She pointed out that government is investing in human resource for health as evidenced by the recruitment of 11,326 health care workers recently.

"This additional workforce has contributed to reducing the doctor and nurse-patient ratio. These health care workers will contribute to service delivery regarding childhood and adolescent TB," she explained at an on-going African Region Consultative Meeting on the Elimination of Childhood and Adolescent Tuberculosis, taking place in the country's capital Lusaka.

This is a current affairs portal where news can be obtained as it happens. This page was also created

25/09/2022

Sikumba dispatches 10 tourism attaches


By F***y Kalonda

TOURISM minister Rodney Sikumba has asked tourism attaches selected for 10 Zambian missions abroad to always remember that they are deployed to market the country.

Speaking when he met 10 officers appointed to serve in various missions abroad, Sikumba said government wants tourism to contribute to the economy and create jobs for Zambians.

The attaches who are from the Zambia Tourism Agency include Doris Koffi who is going to the United Kingdom, Angela Chimpinde to the United States of America, Joceline Mutinta to Germany and Twambo Chisamba to Malaysia.

Mundandamo Kaweza who has been posted to Japan, Zondi Chilembo to South Korea, Bright Musesa to Turkey, while former Livingstone mayor Eugene Mapuwo has been sent to Israel.

Others are Jessie Simukoko who is going to Egypt, and Twambo Muzyamba former regional tourism coordinator for Copperbelt and North-Western, who is going to France.

Sikumba said the ministry will have a role to monitor their activities abroad.

He said the new dawn government is not sending people abroad to reward them for supporting the ruling party, but that there is potential that has been seen in the individuals.

Sikumba urged the officers to always remember that they are deployed to market the country in their missions.

He called on the officers to quickly find their space and blend by learning the language, especially those going to non-English speaking countries.

25/09/2022

BUYZED APPEALS TO YANGO TO EXTEND ITS SERVICE TO TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS

BUYZED Campaign founder Evans Kazonga Ngoma has appealed to Yango Managers to consider extending their transportation business to goods if people are to fully access and enjoy more of their service.

Mr. Ngoma says Yango transport has become a service of choice wherever it is accessible and that if the same is extended to the transportation of goods, transport fares will drastically reduce in Zambia.

Speaking in Lusaka this afternoon after using a Yango taxi, Mr. Ngoma said he was surprised that he only paid K36 to move from the Lusaka Central Business District (CBD) to Kabwata, the distance that should have costed him nothing less than K80.

"I am appealing to the managers of YANGO to consider applying the App on the transportation of goods as well. By doing so, this will reduce the cost of transporting goods and in the long-run reduce the general cost of tranport in Zambia.

"This will not only enhanced passenger movement in places where Yango services are accessible, but will also reduce the cost of transporting goods from one place to the other," Mr. Ngoma said.

Credit: BuyZed Media

21/09/2022

PS KASONKA SCHOOLS MEDICAL DOCTORS

Lusaka...September 21, 2022

By Kelvin Phiri

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary-Technical Services Lackson Kasonka has advised medical doctors to offer distinguished service to the nation.

Professor Kasonka says medical doctors must place patients at the center of the profession and that it calls for a sacrifice

He reminded the medical practitioners to observe professional conduct and to refrain from engaging in wrongful behavior that will drag the profession into disrepute.

The Permanent Secretary stressed the need for medical doctors to service the community with utmost diligence and hard work.

He was speaking during an induction ceremony of medical doctors at Lusaka Apex Medical University-LAMU.

And University Acting Vice Chancellor Tackson Lambart has called on medical doctors to venture into various research.

Professor Lambart says exploring research in the medical fraternity will help improve the quality of health service delivery in the country.

He says Zambia offers various opportunities for medical research and that the country remains unexplored in that area.

Meanwhile, the Resident Doctor's Association of Zambia-RADZ has appealed to government to consider employing more medical doctors to bridge the existing doctor-patient ratio.

Association Vice President Anniel Sinkala says the current patient-doctor ratio stands at 1 doctor to 12-thousand patients,a situation he said needs urgent address.

Dr Sinkala has asked government to take advantage of the graduating medical doctors to make up for the shortage.

17/09/2022

MEDICATION-RELATED HARM KILLS NEARLY 2.6- MILLION PATIENTS EVERY YEAR-WHO

Saturday... September 17,2022

By Kelvin Phiri

ESTIMATES released by the World Health Organization-WHO have shown that around 2.6-million patients die every year due to medication-related harm.

The recently published report indicates that in low and middle-income countries like Zambia more than 134- million adverse events occur at hospital level , accounting for 2.6-million patients who die annually at the point of care.

WHO Country Representative NATHAN BAKYAITA says medication-related harm costs the globe in excess of 42-billion United States dollars per annum.

Dr BAKYAITA says the second global ministerial patient safety summit held in 2017 launched the " medication without harm" aimed at reducing severe avoidable medication- related harm by 50 per cent globally over a 5-year term.

He says multiple interventions have so far been developed with support provided to countries to develop policies and legislation for implementation at all levels.

He was speaking today in Chongwe during the World Patient Safety Day Commemoration under the theme "Medication Safety-Medication Without Harm."

And Health Minister SYLVIA MASEBO has disclosed that the Zambia Medicines and Regulatory Authority-ZAMRA and its regulatory framework, key stakeholders such as pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, and community retailers are consistently engaged with a view to strengthening the key role of providing safe, efficacious, and quality medicines to the citizenry.

Ms MASEBO says it is consistent with the government’s vision of providing safe, efficacious and quality medicines that are cost-effective.

She has also appealed to the pharmaceutical industry to continuously uphold ethical practices in enhancing the safety of clients regarding medication.

She further revealed that 1-thousand health workers have been trained in drug medication safety across the country and that the cadre comprise nurses, doctors and pharmacy personnel.

16/09/2022

*SEVEN DAY WEATHER FORECAST: 17th to 23rd SEPTEMBER, 2022*

*TIME ISSUED:* 16:30 CAT
*DATE PREPARED:* 16th September, 2022
*VALIDITY PERIOD:* 17th to 23rd September, 2022

*FORECAST*
_________________________
*Period: 17th September, 2022*
*Western, Northwestern, Luapula, Northern, Muchinga and Eastern Provinces:*
*DESCRIPTION:* Mainly sunny, hazy, windy at times and mild in the morning. Minimum temperature will be in the range of 11°C to 17°C. The afternoon will be partly cloudy, slightly windy and warm to hot. Maximum temperature will range from 26°C to 33°C. The night will be partly cloudy, windy at times and mild to cool.

*CAUSE:* A moderate and relatively moist airflow from the east.

*Southern, Lusaka, Central and Copperbelt Provinces:*
*DESCRIPTION:* Sunny, hazy, windy at times and warm in the morning with Minimum temperature in the range of 09°C to 15°C. The afternoon will be mainly sunny, windy at times and warm to hot. Maximum temperature will be in the range of 27°C and 35°C. The night will be clear, windy at times and warm to mild.

*CAUSE:* A moderate and warm airflow from the east
________________________
*Period: 18th to 23rd September, 2022*
*Eastern Province including the eastern districts of Lusaka Province:*
*DESCRIPTION:* Sunny, windy at times, hazy and mild in the morning. Minimum temperature will range from 12°C to 17°C. The afternoons will windy at times and warm to hot with few clouds. Maximum temperature will be in the range of 28°C to 35°C. The nights will be mainly clear, windy at times and mild to cool.

*CAUSE:* A moderate and warm airflow from the east.

*Muchinga, Northern, Luapula, Copperbelt, Northwestern, Western, Southern and Central Provinces including the western parts of Lusaka Province:* Few clouds and mild to warm in the mornings. Minimum temperature will range between 09°C and 15°C. The afternoons will be partly cloudy and warm to hot with isolated rain especially over the extreme northern parts of the country. Maximum temperature will be in the range of 26°C and 34°C. The nights will be partly cloudy and mild with a chance of isolated rain.

*CAUSE:* A moist and unstable airflow from the northwest (Congo air).
_________________________
*Advisory:* Sporadic Rainfall is expected to affect most parts of Zambia especially the extreme northern parts during the period 18th to 23rd September, 2022. This will be due to the Congo Air Boundary (moist and unstable airflow from the northwest) that is expected to cover most areas over the country with cloudy weather conditions.

Therefore, take precautionary measures as you plan your activities during this period. Get regular updates from the Meteorological Department.

*_Produced by the Zambia Meteorological Department,_*
*_Ministry of Green Economy and Environment._*

16/09/2022

Pretoria - Friday,16th September 2022

Government says Zambia's participation at the just-ended Govtech Conference will go a long way in realising its dream of becoming a communication hub in the region.

Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati said this at the conclusion of this year’s GovTech 2022 Conference held in South Africa, which attracted more than 2000 delegates.

Mr. Mutati said partnership is key towards achieving enhanced knowledge, experience, and sharing the vision of digital transformation and service delivery.

Mr. Mutati said only innovative ways to finance digital infrastructure will help boost the Information Technology sector.

"We came to South Africa to forge partnerships. We came here to talk and engage with the rest of Africa by sharing experiences and best practices. At the end of the day, we must begin to collaborate with each other. We must begin to invest in each other," Mr. Mutati said.

And Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Brilliant Habeenzu said it is important that Zambia is represented at such high level meetings to share ideas and also bring different stakeholders together to share experiences that involve the ICT sector.

Dr. Habeenzu said Zambia's participation in such meetings is important as the country works towards becoming one of the best in information and technology.

The Conference was designed to stimulate and generate debate and discussion with different stakeholders ranging from international and local speakers, and expert presentations from key stakeholders in the industry through which delegates can engage on innovative solutions that can be deployed to support public service delivery.

The roundtable, which had different stakeholders, concluded that Government and communities must ensure that ICT must compliment, enrich, and transform education for the better.

Credit: Zambia High Commission
Pretoria

15/09/2022

ZAMBIA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ELATES LESOTHO.

Lusaka... September 15, 2022

By Kelvin Phiri

VISITING Lesotho Health Minister says is impressed with the way Zambia's healthcare systems are structured.

Mr Sekatle Semano says Lesotho has much to learn from Zambia in the area of health and hopes that his country will soon implement some of its best practices.

In a farewell address, upon completion of a planned tour of healthcare facilities in Lusaka, Mr Semano congratulated government through the ministry of health for achieving great milestones in the health sector.

He says his country will seek to emulate Zambia's health care systems for improved service delivery.

The visiting Minister has also thanked Zambia for according him and his delegation a cordial reception.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo has expressed appreciation for the undertaken visit to Zambia and for sharing thoughts and experiences.

Speaking on her behalf, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary - Technical Services Lackson Kasonka, Ms Masebo called for harmonisation of healthcare systems as set out in the Southern African Development Community-SADC protocols that of a unified healthcare system across the regional bloc.

Ms Masebo observed that SADC member states must work at building more resilient and strong health care systems.

She has however thanked her counterpart Mr Semano with his team of experts for choosing to visit Zambia and that she hopes the visit will open up other opportunities between the two countries.

The delegation from Lesotho led by its minister of health sekatle Semano was in the the country for a 3-day working visit to sample Zambia's health care systems as well as share some of the best practices.