Zambia News

Lusaka, 04 December 2012 -- The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO) in collaboration with WHO Global Capacities, Alert and Response has organized a regional meeting for mapping of unmet country needs to accelerate the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) in the African Region. Since the IHR (2005) came into force in 2007, many countries in the WHO African Region have developed IHR implementation plans and improved their surveillance and response capacities.

Lusaka 07 December 2012 -- The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO) and WHO Global Capacities, Alert and Response stakeholders regional meeting for mapping of unmet country needs to accelerate the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) in the African Region came to a conclusion on 6th December 2012. The WHO Country Representative, Dr. Olusegun Babaniyi officially closed the meeting.

The WHO Representative, Dr. Olusegun Babaniyi visited the Eastern Province Medical Office (PMO) from 12th-15th February 2013. The mission was undertaken to gain a better insight of how health development challenges were being addressed in the province and to identify areas for further collaboration and support through the Technical Cooperation Programme with Government. Dr. Babaniyi was welcomed to the province by the Provincial Minister, Hon. Malozo Sichone (MP), The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bert Mushala and the Provincial Medical Officer, Dr. Kennedy Malama.

The Human Papilloma Virus vaccine has been introduced for the first time in the immunization programme in Zambia. The vaccine was introduced on 27th May 2013 on pilot basis in Chongwe, Kafue and Lusaka districts to pave way for scale-up to the rest of the country. The vaccination programme is using a school-based strategy which is targeting all girls in grade 4 while out of school girls aged 10 years will access the vaccines from the health centres and through community based strategies.

Zambia joined the rest of the world to commemorate the World No Tobacco Day on 31st May under the theme “Ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship”. The Ministry of Health took the lead in mobilising various partners and stakeholders to participate in the campaign events. Government Ministries and Departments, Non-Governmental Organizations, Youth Organizations, schools and community based organisations are taking part in the various advocacy and awareness raising events lined up for the WNTD 2013 campaign.

The WHO Representative, Dr. Olusegun Babaniyi conducted a familiarisation tour of the Lusaka Apex Medical University (LAMU) on Tuesday 16th July, 2013. During this visit, a donation was made to the school which included a reconditioned Toyota land cruiser Prado, a desktop computer and a Blue Trunk Library containing reference books on various health topics.

The donation to Lusaka Apex Medical University was intended to facilitate the smooth running of the institution in its quest to attain its objectives of increasing the numbers of health professionals in the country.

LUSAKA, 27th August 2014 - The Ebola outbreak in West Africa and in the Democratic Republic of Congo constitutes an “extraordinary event” and a public health risk to other states. The WHO Country Office donated a consignment of assorted supplies to the Ministry of Health to strengthen the national preparedness in case of an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the country. The donated items include: complete Personal Protective Equipment kits; hand sprayers; back pack sprayers; gumboots; plastic aprons; face shields; gloves; sharp boxes; ethanol; and biohazard bags.

Lusaka, 4 February 2015 -- It has been estimated that 23% of deaths or a population of 2.4 million per year is attributable to environmental risk factors, whose impact is especially felt among the poor and vulnerable (children, women and rural and people with disabilities).

About 60% of the ecosystem services are being degraded or subjected to pressure with consequences on the quality of air and water and an increase in natural disasters. Climate change is expected to affect health, agriculture, food security and water sectors.

Lusaka, 23 April, 2015 - The 5th regional launch of African Vaccination Week (AVW) 2015 took place in Lusaka, Zambia on Thursday, 23 April 2015 with the First Lady of Zambia, Mrs Esther Lungu kicking off the commemorations. She encouraged countries in Africa and immunization partners to make all efforts to reach the unreached children with vaccinations to avoid disease outbreaks and child mortality.

Lusaka, Zambia, June 4, 2015 – President Edgar Lungu of Zambia has paid tribute to the World Health Organization (WHO) for its continued role in the country’s health sector. He made these remarks when Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, paid a courtesy call on him as part of her three day official visit to Zambia.