U$D900, 000 INVESTED IN OXYGEN PLANT AT MANSA GENERAL HOSPITAL

By MacPherson Mukuka in Mansa- *Luapula Province*

 

One of the Tanks for the Oxygen Plant recently procured

part of the oxygen plant equipment

Machinery in the ICU to be connected to the plant

 

 

GOVERNMENT has allocated over 2 Hundred Million Kwacha towards the upgrading of urban roads in Mansa District of Luapula Province.

 

Mansa Central Member of Parliament CHITALU CHILUFYA says the upgrading of the roads which is under the pave Zambia road project will commence this week.

 

He says China Civil and China Henan have been given 21 kilometers of Mansa District roads to work on.

 

He says in the next three to four months, the face of Mansa is going to change as a result of President Edgar Lungu’s commitment in providing road infrastructure closer to the people.

 

Dr. CHILUFYA said this when he inspected the progress of the paving of Mansa General Hospital grounds by the road development agency RDA.

 

And Dr. CHILUFYA has also disclosed that government will soon begin grading roads to ease people and vehicle movement from one place to another.

 

The Mansa Central law maker further says during the 2 year period in which the roads will be upgraded, youths employment will be created adding that so far 40 youths at the general hospital have been employed to pave the hospital grounds.

 

Meanwhile, Dr. CHILUFYA who inspected  the oxygen plant and the first ever state of art ICU at Mansa General Hospital says government has embarked on a programme to modernize hospital in the country.

 

He says government has invested 9 hundred US dollars in the procurement of the plant to be installed beginning this week.

 

He says the plant will reduce the cost of procuring oxygen from suppliers in Lusaka and Ndola.

Dr. CHILUFYA also says the plant will be supplying oxygen to other hospitals in the province.

GOVERNMENT SADDENED OVER INCREASE IN MALARIA CASES

By MacPherson Mukuka in KATETE- *Eastern Province*

Health Deputy Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya

GOVERNMENT has expressed sadness over the number of deaths  the Country has continued to record due to Malaria.

 

Health Deputy Minister of CHITALU CHILUFYA says Zambia has recorded an increment of Malaria incidences from 330/1000 cases in 2010 to 335/1000 cases in 2015.

 

Dr Chilufya however says that it is gratifying that Malaria deaths have reduced from 6,684 to 2,400 in the period 2010 t0 2015.

 He said this on the occasion of World Malaria Day in Katete district, Eastern Province.

Dr Chilufya further says that some districts are now achieving incidence rates below hundred which he says is encouraging.

 

He says the development calls for all Zambians to do more and employ innovative tools, if the country is to get to zero Malaria deaths .

 

He says the national Malaria elimination strategy highlights additional interventions that will be applied based on the evidence and diseases burden.

 

Dr Chilufya says this will mean that the unit of decision making in terms of intervention will be at the health facility catchment area.

 

He has added that Government wants to pinpoint and ensure that the component of contact tracing is enhanced even for malaria.

 

Dr Chilufya says the Patriotic Front Government has achieved a lot in the fight against Malaria under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu such as the establishment of dedicated budget line for procurement  of ant- Malaria commodities.

 

And World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa Jacob Mufunda says it is commendable that progress has been made in the cases of Malaria but Malaria remains a major public health and development challenge in Africa.

 

Dr Mufunda says more has to be done to achieve the vision of ending Malaria in the region which has been enhanced by the exciting global solidarity for a Malaria free world.  

 He said the sustainable Development Goals have enhanced further the fight against Malaria and end it by the year 2030.

 

Dr Mufunda says it is possible to have a Malaria free Africa through strong coordination and implementation of clear strategies and actions such as deployment of effective financing mechanism .

He has employed Countries to implement concrete mult-sectoral actions and allocate adequate resources to end Malaria.  

 Meanwhile, a traditional leader in Katete has thanked Government for an ensuring that health services closer to the people.

 

Chief M'bang'ombe was however quick to mention that the people in the area have for a long time been waiting for government open the health posts allocated to the district.

 

He says the delay to operationalize the health posts will hinder progress in combating malaria in the district.

 

Katete has been awarded as the best performing district in the country in the fight and elimination of the disease.

CHAMA DISTRICT HOSPITAL GOBBLES 23 MILLION KWAHCA

By MacPherson Mukuka in Chama* Muchinga Province*

Chama District Hospital Admission wing

Hospital ward block

Government has completed the construction of CHAMA District Hospital at a cost of about 23 Million Kwacha.

And Government says it will continue taking health care services closer to the people through the construction of modern health facilities across the country.

Health Deputy Minister CHITALU CHILUFYA says government has built the facility to enhance provision of health care services to Chama residents.

Dr. CHILUFYA says the facility is fully furnished and human resource personnel will be deployed to the hospital before its commissioning.

He says President EDGAR LUNGU is expected in the district to commission the health facility adding that once in operation, the hospital will offer medical care services to over 1 hundred thousand residents in the district.

And Chama District Medical Officer ANTHONY KAMANZ says the new hospital will supplement the provision of maternal health services among others in the District.

He says the district has had challenges in provision of maternal health care services due to lack of modern equipment.

He has disclosed that the old hospital made an improvised theatre where it carried its surgical procedures but now things have changed with the provision of a state of the art modern theater at the new hospital.   

And the Maternal health section at the Hospital has also expressed happiness at the development. Maternal health Sister in charge JESSY CHOMBA says mother will now have an opportunity to be treated using modern facilities.

Meanwhile, Chama District Commissioner JOSPHAT LOMBE says security at the hospital has been provided through the members of the community as they await the fencing of the facility.

UKAID-FUNDED B2B WEB PORTAL SET TO PROPEL SMES FORWARD

By MacPherson Mukuka *in Lusaka*

Corporations In Zambia Endorse New Local Procurement Initiative

Top representatives from some of Zambia’s leading multi-national companies have placed a stamp of approval on an imminent online platform that links small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to multinational and national corporations under the Private Enterprise Programme - Zambia’s Business Linkages Component.

 Representatives from Chibuluma mines, First Quantum Mineral (FQM), Shoprite Zambia, , SABMiller Zambia, Saro, Spar, Total Zambia Woolworths, and Zambeef  met at Lusaka’s Intercontinental hotel to hear the progress made on the development of the business-to-business website appropriately dubbed, “zamb2b”.

“zamb2b falls within the framework of the Business Linkages Programme whose goal is to facilitate corporations doing business in Zambia to actively engage in local sourcing, matchmaking and supplier development. The programme puts in place practical solutions to information flow failures that hinder linkages between the corporations and local SMEs, and zamb2b is one of those solutions,” said Business Linkages Programme Manager, Donia Benmiloud.

 The CEO of the IT company Digital Africa, Chiphazi Banda said: “We designed the online portal in such a way that it will provide sector-specific information to both small-scale businesses that seek to supply their products and services to large multinational firms, which seek to procure quality local products without necessarily dropping their standards.”

Greater business linkages between large firms that dominate the economy and local suppliers can help to link lead industries to sectors in which the poor are employed, harness the purchasing power of large businesses to develop the “missing middle” of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and transfer technology to enable potentially transformative enterprises to fulfil their potential. Greater linkages would contribute to broader, more inclusive growth and address the chronic deficit of jobs in the country.
Source: Langmead and Baker

Members of the Private Enterprise Programme - Zambia (PEPZ)  Business Linkages Programme steering committee of leading company representatives examine the new zambiab2b web portal for SME suppliers

WOMEN FOR CHANGE HAILS NKANDU LUO, PRESIDENT LUNGU...

By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka

PROF: NKANDU LUO

MS. LUMBA SIYANGA

The Women for Change (WfC)says it is pleased with the appointment of Gender Minister Nkandu Luo as President of the Women Parliamentary Caucus under the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Women for Change Executive Director LUMBA SIYANGA says the appointment of Professor Luo cause for celebration because she will preside over the affairs of women at the IPU. .

She says Professors LUO's appointment points to the country’s deliberate steps to promote women’s leadership and reflects on her hard work and determination as a female politician who aims to improve women and girls’ rights.

She has added that her organisation has declared its solidarity in promoting women’s leadership not only in Zambia but the entire African Continent.

Ms. SIYANGA says the appointment of Prof. LUO is a positive testimony of the great potential Zambian women have and if tapped would raise the Zambian flag high.

She says her organisation is greatly encouraged to know that its efforts to advocate for increased representation of women in all sectors of the economy is not in vein.

She has further stated that her organisation believes that its call for the attainment of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) 50/50 representation is not a far-fetched dream because it is attainable.

She says her organisation has no doubt that Professor LUO will be a committed torch bearer and has wished her God’s guidance as she takes up her new responsibility.

Prof Luo was appointed during the 134th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference held in Lusaka

Meanwhile, Ms. SIYANGA has congratulated President Edgar Lungu for appointing three women out of six judges appointed to sit on the Constitutional Court.

She says the organisation is encouraged that the President is indeed showing commitment towards gender equality in leadership.

She has further called on President EDGAR LUNGU and all parties in Zambia to continue facilitating for full participation of women in decision making by encouraging appointments and adoption of women  to leadership positions and during the coming August 11,2016 General Election.

Ms. SIYANGA has also urged all political parties perpetuating violence to stop the vice as it has potential to reverse women and youth participation in politics.

MANJA PAMODZI TAKES ON MATERO

By MacPherson Mukuka

The hustle and bustle that is characteristic of Matero came to a temporary standstill this week when SABMiller’s Zambian operations joined hundreds of residents to clear waste from the streets and gutters during a Manja Pamodzi clean-up exercise.

The beer and soft drinks group encompassing Zambian Breweries, National Breweries and Heinrich Syndicate, initiated Manja Pamodzi, which is a community-based initiative that is helping to clean up post-consumer packaging waste in Lusaka, improving sanitation and hygiene as a result.

SABMiller Zambia Recycling Project Manager Elaine Kafwimbi, said that she felt inspired at the outpouring of participants, especially the womenfolk.

“It tells us that the word is getting around, the connection is being made between what we do and the need to protect the environment. We have seen a large number of women collectors here. This is encouraging because it means that a significant number of households will be sustained by the hard work of the numerous mothers and daughters present today,” said Ms Kafwimbi.

Ms. Kafwimbi noted that a strong message has to be sent to the communities about disposal habits, as garbage thrown indiscriminately threatens the health of local residents.

“Zambian Breweries believes in taking the lead and taking responsibility for helping to drive the Manja Pamodzi clean-up campaign. We call on communities, businesses and individuals to follow that lead so that we manage the situation, ensuring that packaging waste is properly collected and disposed of,” she said.

Children education activities ran throughout the morning and a prize giving ceremony was conducted to celebrate the collective effort that was made to clean-up their environment. Prizes included mobile phones, mealie meal, containers of cooking oil, caps, t-shirts and cases of soft drinks.

The event, which fell on Monday, March 7, 2016, is expected to be repeated in other localities.

The Manja Pamodzi project supports collectors, who are identified through environmental education and places a particular focus on recycling. These collectors will gather together plastic bottles, Chibuku cartons and other recyclable materials from surrounding areas in their communities. Collectors then deliver the waste to buying-centre collection points where aggregators buy them in bulk and process the discarded material into bales that are sold to recycling companies to be processed into other materials such as tissue.

This project hopes to improve the livelihood of the people. The aim is to minimise the amount of littering in the communities through environmental health education as well as encourage recycling.

“As Zambia has experienced exponential growth, our businesses have produced more to meet the demand of our consumers.  These products often come in convenient packaging such as plastic. This combined with the  lack of a reliable waste collection system and a low level awareness of the effects of waste in our communities have meant that our streets and drainage systems have become more and more polluted with litter. We therefore took the decision over a year ago to find a solution to the waste problem that we contribute to on the streets,” said SABMiller Zambia Managing Director Annabelle Degroot.

The group’s decision to drive the Manja Pamodzi initiative was based on research that showed only 26 percent  of the estimated 900 tons of waste that is generated daily in Lusaka is collected via formal services; and that 34 percent of the 900 tons produced a day is recyclable.

Manja Pamodzi is currently in its initial phase and has 73 collectors on board already with collection points in Chawama, Kamwala, Ngwerere, Chunga and others to follow as the project builds  on in the various communities.

The project has collected some 119 tonnes of cartons and 23 tonnes of PET plastic bottles in Lusaka with the help of 58 active community collectors.

CONSTRUCTION OF KALOMO GENERAL HOSPITAL REACHES ADVANCED STAGE

*By MacPherson Mukuka in Kalomo- Southern Province*

Construction of phase one of Kalomo General Hospital has been completed at a cost of 11 Million Kwacha.

Kalomo District Commissioner COSMAS CHIIBA disclosed the development when water affairs permanent secretary ED CHOMBA paid a courtesy call on him.

Mr. CHIIBA further disclosed that the completed building includes the administration block, outpatient department, and laboratories.

Meanwhile, MR. CHIIBA says construction of phase two of the hospital has commenced.

He says the project which will include a maternity wing, 6 staff houses, and mortuary and wards will be constructed at a cost of 21 Million Kwacha.

MR. CHIIBA has however bemoaned the slow pace at which the construction works are progressing.

He has attributed the delay to the procedure taken in the procurement and delivering of material which he says is done in Lusaka.  

And Bishop CHOMBA has expressed delight over the completion of phase one of the hospital.

He says it is gratifying that construction of the health facility is at an advanced stage.

Meanwhile, Bishop CHOMBA says construction of the hospital alone will be meaningless if the health institution does not get clean and safe water.

He has since urged the District Commissioner to seek advice from the District Water Affairs office on the right procedure of sinking boreholes.

Bishop CHOMBA was on a three day tour of Southern Province to check of the construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure.

KALOMO DC HAILS GOVT ON E- VOUCHER

*By MacPherson Mukuka in Kalomo- Southern Province*

KALOMO District Commissioner, COSMAS CHIIBA has hailed government for extending a hand to farmers in the area through the E-Voucher scheme.

MR. CHIIBA has described the implementation of the scheme in Kalomo as a success story of the 2015- 2016 farming season.

He says the scheme enabled farmers in the area acquire inputs on time adding that the timely delivery of fertiliser to farmers also harnessed the situation.

The District Commissioner further disclosed that over 4 thousand have so far benefited from the scheme.

MR. CHIIBA is however not happy with the performance of the Food Reserve Agency in the area.

He says out of the 4 Hundred and 50 thousand by 50 kilogram bags of maize that were supposed to be bought by the agency; only 2 hundred and 64 thousand 3 hundred and 32 by 50 kilogram bags were bought.

And MR. CHIIBA has expressed sadness at the poor rainfall partner being experienced in the area.

He says the majority of farmers who planted their seed early have lost their crops to the dry spell that has hit most parts of the country.

CONCERN WORLDWIDE LAUNCHES Female Youth Livelihood and Nutrition enhancement project

*By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka*Concern WorldWide*

In a bid to address challenges facing adolescent women in rural areas, An Irish humanitarian non-governmental organisation has embarked on a 3 year project dubbed Female Youth Livelihood and Nutrition enhancement project aimed at improving the nutrition status and livelihood of young Zambian women in Western province.

Concern Worldwide Zambia Country Director DANNY HERVY says the project is targeting at empowering over 6 thousand 3 hundred young females who will be trained and mentored by 1 hundred and 60 peer leaders in income generating activities in the Agriculture sector.

Ms. DANNY says the young women in Western Province are faced with a number of challenges as they transition into adulthood.

She says adolescent women in the area become mothers at young ages a situation which poses a danger on both the young mothers and their infants.

She has expressed confidence that the project will have a positive impact on the lives of the young women in the area.

“We are confident that with such support and guidance, the project will have a positive impact on young women in Limulunga and Kaoma Districts.” Says Ms DANNY.

She further stated that her organisation is also anticipating that the project will give rise to interesting findings that can influence larger scale interventions such as on how to best reach adolescent girls with health services, an understanding of potential approaches to improve pre-conception nutrition and the effectiveness of life-skills in delaying conception.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government says it will continue supporting programmes that are capacity building and are aimed at encouraging women participation in society.   

Japanese ambassador to Zambia KIYOSHI KOINUMA says his government though the Japanese social development fund through the World Bank has so contributed over 660 Dollars towards the fund.

He says Japan attaches great importance to programmes that directly addresses the plight of African women adding that the government of Japan wants to see empowerment of women in Japan and in African.  

 MR. KOINUMA adds that the project, aims at improving the livelihood of young girls and women aged 10 to 24 through practical interventions.

“It will not only provide health and nutrition education, but will also establish demonstration gardens that produce micro nutrient rich crops and transfer skills in income generating activities.” Says ambassador KOINUMA

And Ministry of Health Director Technical Support Services KAMOTO MBEWE says the young females are among the most vulnerable groups in Zambia.

DR. MBEWE says the government is pleased to have organisations with a heart for young women like concern worldwide adding that government has no doubt that the organisation will execute the project successfully.

Meanwhile, DR. MBEWE has pledged government’s support towards that successful implementation of the project. 

PACRA LAUNCHES ONLINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM

By MacPherson Mukuka*in Lusaka*

Government says it is determined to put in place both hard and soft infrastructure required for accelerated development.

Speaking during the launch of the Patents and Companies Registration Agency PACRA online registration system, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister MARGARET MWANAKATWE says while developing roads, power, telecommunications and other key infrastructure, government is mindful of the need to create platforms to facilitate business.

Mrs. MWANAKATWE added that government will continue with reforms necessary to create an environment for business to thrive, as well as a favourable investment climate.

She says the policy of the Patriotic Front is to level the playing field for both local and foreign business.

Meanwhile the Minister has hailed PACRA for launching an online business registration system.

She says registered businesses are an essential vehicle for commercial and industrial development adding that it is gratifying that PACRA is making business registration services available and affordable.

She says the PF government has prioritised industrialization and job creation and firmly believes that information technology is essential.

Meanwhile PACRA Chief Executive Officer ANTHONY BWEMBYA says the launch of the system is a product of government’s vision of reforming the business environment.

Mr. BWEMBYA says in 2011, the agency adopted a five year strategic plan with particular focus on modernising the registration processes and decentralisation of services.

He says the development of the online registration system has resulted in a complete overhaul and replacement of the registration system.

He has further indicated that the online registration system will allow the entire registration process to be done electronically. 

70 Motobikes for extension officers under Conservation Agriculture Scaling Up Project

 *By MacPherson Mukuka in Lusaka*

 

Agriculture Minister GIVEN LUBINDA says his Ministry intends to make conservation agriculture the official means of increasing farm productivity among small scale farmers and emergent producers in the country.

Mr. LUBINDA says most small scale farmers in rural areas experience relatively higher poverty levels due to low production and productivity and consequent food insecurity.

He says average maize yields among small scale farmers have been reducing from about 3 metric tonnes per hectare at independence to the current 1 point 3 metric tonnes per hectare thereby making some households food insecure.

Speaking during the handover of 70 Motor bikes to extension officers under the conservation Agriculture Scaling up project, Mr. LUBINDA says transport challenges has inhibited the ability by of field staff to effectively reach out to the intended beneficiaries of the project.

He says provision of the motor bikes will enhance provision of technical information and extension services on conservation agriculture to farmers.

Meanwhile, Mr. LUBINDA has cautioned all beneficiary staff to look after the motorbikes and use it for the intended purposes.

And Food Agriculture Organisation Country representative GEORGE OKECH says FAO has continued to provide technical and material support in various fields in the agriculture sector.

Mr. OKECH says the CASU project has piloted a number of initiatives critical to the delivery of extension services to farmers.

He says farmers a now able to receive and ask extension services through SMS, which enable them to chat with various expertise.

He further says the project is also implementing routine monitoring and reporting by extension officers which has contributed immensely towards the improvement of farmer to extension officer contacts.