The new dawn government is not short on policies to implement in the health and nutrition sector
of the nation. According to the ruling government (party manifesto on Health and Nutrition) which
states that, development is not possible without a healthy population. Health is not only a social
imperative but also an economic asset as a second pillar of human capital development. However,
there are still vast inequalities in health and healthcare, especially in rural and urban areas. Also
health services are in decline, with long queues for treatment, unsanitary and inadequate facilities,
high prices, non-availability of medicines and a shortage of qualified personnel. Consequently,
most citizens who can afford to end up seeking medical services
abroad, costing government colossal sums of money.
Basing their re-orientation approach on the conventional modes of health service delivery, the
United Party for National Development (UPND) asserts that they will prioritize health financing
improvement, the securing of medicines and non-medical supplies, rebuilding the human resources
for health, securing modern health equipment or state-of-the-art service delivery at all levels, a
rational approach to health infrastructure maintenance, and the efficient use and strengthening of
health information and data systems.
The UPND state that, they will work closely with development partners by creating a conducive,
inclusive and consultative environment in the health sector. With the lessons from the COVID-19
pandemic, the world has again been reminded of the importance of focusing on preventing
community public health and primary healthcare.
The party under the leadership of Hakainde Hichilema further encodes that Health is inextricably
linked to nutrition. They state that the agriculture policies and crop diversity, in particular, should
support nutrition and feeding adjustment, especially for pregnant and lactating women and
children, to produce favorable health outcomes.
The new dawn government is working round the clock to reposition the health sector for a quick
recovery from the current COVID-19 pandemic and key to this recovery is a stable supply chain.
Minister of health Sylvia Masebo said government is putting in place a robust program that
aims at securing the commodity of medicines and medical supplies across the continuum of
care and to restore the much needed confidence. “In the last few weeks, Zambia has been witnessing a drop in the number of COVID-19 cases, but despite the reduction in the number of cases, it is prudent that the ministry start stocking up on
commodities in view of the anticipated fourth wave of COVID-19 which might start somewhere
around November/December this year” said Minister Masebo. The health minister said this during the handover ceremony of assorted COVID-19 commodities provided by the Arab Republic of Egypt on September 24 at the Zambia Medicines and
Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).
The estimated cost of the donation is valued at US$105,000.
“Ministry of health will continue to maintain high level of COVID-19 preparedness measures
through a multi-sectorial approach such as infection prevention and control in healthcare settings,
implementation of health measures for travelers, awareness rising in the population and risk
communication” she said.
Government is committed to progressively increase funding to the health sector, improve
availability of competent and skilled workers across the country. “We will ensure better
availability of quality, safe and effective medicines, vaccines and medical supplies. We have
prioritized investment to ensure functional medical and non-medical equipment coupled with
robust maintenance systems. We commit to ensure that health infrastructure development is
matched with appropriate health personnel and infrastructure.
As a government, we are focusing on strengthening health systems to improve service delivery
including health promotion, disease prevention, prompt and effective treatment, rehabilitation and
palliative care services.
We are aiming at striking a balance between preventive community public health on one hand and
hospital services on the other”
Hon. Sylvia T. Masebo – Minister of Health during a courtesy call by the British High Commission
delegation on 01st October.