LUSAKA Province Permanent Secretary Robert Kamalata has called for renewed commitment and strengthened collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure effective epidemic management in the province.
Mr Kamalata reiterates that the fight against epidemics is a continuous effort that demands vigilance, adaptation and unwavering resolve from all sectors.
He notes that there is need for strengthened collaboration in order to build a resilient healthcare system that can withstand the pressures of ongoing and future health challenges.
ZANIS reports that the Permanent Secretary said this when he officially opened a two-day Provincial Epidemic Preparedness, Prevention, Control and Mitigation meeting in Lusaka on Tuesday.
“Effective epidemic management requires collaboration across all levels of government, Non-Governmental Organisations, the private sector and all stakeholders, so let’s enhance our coordination efforts and work together seamlessly,” he said.
Mr Kamalata also stressed the need for strengthened communication strategies to create awareness among the public on the nature of diseases and preventive measures.
He further called for robust surveillance systems that can quickly identify outbreaks and mobilise swift response.
“in addition, we also need to ensure that our healthcare facilities are adequately resourced to handle a surge in any cases hence we must continue empowering our people through capacity building initiatives and skills,” he said.
Mr Kamalata also urged the Lusaka City Council to quickly deal with all businesses around the city that are not adhering to the set provisions and posing health risks to citizens.
Provincial Health Director Simulyamana Choonga said contrary to some media reports, the province has so far not recorded any disease outbreak.
Dr Choonga called on the media to seek clarity from relevant experts on information pertaining to outbreaks before disseminating it to the public.
He said the Ministry of Health has continued working tirelessly since the last Cholera outbreak to ensure effective epidemic management.
Meanwhile, Red Cross Society Regional Coordinator Joseph Seriki said the organisation remains committed to supporting the government in meeting its targeted interventions in epidemic management.
Dr Seriki who handed over five thousand cholera prevention kits to the Provincial Administration during the meeting said the organisation was in the process of purchasing eighteen thousand kits to distribute to other provinces.
“Also as part of our efforts, we have volunteers at community level doing sensitisation in communities on prevention, and preparedness on cholera,” he said.
UNICEF Zambia Health Specialist Rodgers Mwale said the current decentralisation in the public service is critical in the epidemic management.
Dr Mwale said the decentralisation process has enabled various government departments to take a multi sectoral approach and also quickly tap into resources to deal with events concerning epidemics.
“As UNICEF we are committed to working with the government throughout Lusaka province and we are already working with various communities across other provinces to ensure they are protected against epidemics,” he said.
The meeting is aimed at reviewing strategies assessing progress and identifying the gaps that need urgent attention in epidemic management in the province.
