First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa says effective vaccination campaigns against serious childhood illnesses, like Measles, help reduce Government expenditure on the health sector.
Mrs. Mwanawasa says it is the responsibility of every Zambian to regard efforts of
promoting healthy childhood as a cornerstone for national development.
In an interview with Journalists at State House today, Mrs. Mwanawasa said parents
and guardians should take advantage of the forthcoming National measles vaccination
campaign to ensure children are vaccinated against the disease.
She also urged the business community to support Government efforts of reducing
infant mortality rates through campaigns such as the measles vaccination.
She dismissed cultural and traditional myths that discourage parents from taking
children for measles vaccination as unjustified but explained that the vaccinations
help reduce the severity of measles once a child is attacked by the disease.
She encouraged all patriotic Zambians to support the campaign that targets to
vaccinate about 95 per cent of children against the disease.
The campaign that would be launched on July 9 to 14, would also avail children an
opportunity to access other services that include deworming and Vitamin A
supplementation.
Zambia successfully implemented the 2003 measles vaccination campaign which resulted in over 90 children vaccinated and cases of deaths due to measles reduced to zero.
Is being first lady a ministerial job or what? This is supposed to come from Chituwo not Maureen.Can our leaders know the limits and issues which must involve the first lady?This is now outside coverage area.Prince Chrales was told not to involve himself in governance issues, this what Maureen is trying to do. Its absolutely nonsense
In what capacity is this lady speaking? her job is to take care of her family. The best example is Mama Kaunda who lived well as a wife to the head of state.
Well, the first lady runs a quasi govt functionary. Nothing wrong with that. Or, whats Laura Bush doing in SubSaharan Africa visiting Congress-approved PEPFAR and PMI money?
Maureen is giving a leadership endorsement to a very important subject of child immmunization. Totally within her bounds, in my view!
Maureen should advocate for research for a vaccination against electrol corruption!!! that would release more funds for the health sector as opposed to govt. expenditure on by-elections!!!
I don’t support you Francis. She is doing that at great government expense. That should be stopped. Where is hope foundation if I may ask Francis? It was another way of syphoning government money.
Monk, I admit am not a lawyer but i know there’s some constitutional provision of the Office of the First Lady. Whether she’s usurping some ministerial functions and resources, i dont know. And there’s nothing in the above article to suggest this, so you are all just speculating. THATS NOT MY POINT.
My point is, the first lady is perfectly in order to use her influence and resources under her office(not as MMCI or Hope) to boost demand for such important child public health programs. I really cant see any controversy or conflict of interest in this.
You check what first ladies the world over do.