Government has challenged health practitioners in Lusaka District to be envoys of change in the health sector.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Christopher Simoonga says 60 years of Zambia’s independence is a huge question that health personnel ought to respond to in the health sector.

Speaking during a District Implementation Meeting in Lusaka, Professor Simoonga added that there is need for health practitioners to bridge the generational gap in quality health service delivery to achieve vision 2030 of attaining universal health coverage.

“One of the mistakes that countries make is not to plan in advance on anticipated challenges that might arise in the health sector such as pandemics, and this calls for proactive minds that will foresee the unforeseen in line with the Eighth National Development Plan of our country”, he said.

He further said health practitioners should reflect on the milestones made in the delivery of quality health services, 60 years down the line, as well as think of serious matters that need urgent attention.

And Lusaka District Commissioner Rosa Zulu, has commended the Ministry of Health for bringing quality health services closer to the families.

“I am happy that this mandate is in line with the United Party for National Development (UPND) manifesto which emphasises on not leaving anyone behind in national development through a healthy generation,” Ms. Zulu said.

Meanwhile, Lusaka District Health Director Astridah Maseka, says the district had made remarkable strides in health service delivery.

Dr. Maseka says one of the areas where the district has performed well is reduction of maternal deaths from 726 per 1000 deliveries to 200 deaths per 1000 deliveries.