The Government has implored the Church to partner with it to combat and eradicate malaria that is killing millions of people annually.
Health Minister, Kapembwa Simbao said the Church like other many organisations could play a vital role to entice people through the gospel to work as a team in the fight against malaria.
Mr Simbao was speaking in Lusaka on Monday during a candlelight night that marked the second national prayer to commemorate the Southern African Development Community (SADC) malaria week.
The service was held at Kabwata Good Shepherd Catholic Church and in attendance were Salvation Army, United Church of Zambia (UCZ), Anglican and Pilgrim churches.
This year’s theme, which was commemorated from 24th to 29th November, was dubbed Malaria: ‘A Disease without Borders’.
Zambia held its first prayer night this year on April 21 during the commemoration of the World Malaria day, which fell on the 25th of the same month.
“Millions of people die from malaria in our region. Their deaths should remind us to do more, challenge us to protect each and every individual because they may not have died if we had done more.
“As Government, we expect the Church to lead the way and be exemplary in marrying faith with deeds. Let’s work as a team to fight this deadly malaria disease,” Mr Simbao said
He said the Church had a mandate to collectively look at both the spiritual and physical needs of people as Jesus did not only preach but healed and fed the needy.
“Tonight’s ceremony gives an opportunity to reflect on our Christian faith and ask God to give us wisdom in our efforts to reduce malaria in the country if not completely rid it from our country,” Mr Simbao said.
He said it was important that it should become usual for many if not all denominations to fight for a common cause through prayers saying in this way, the country could develop further.
Mr Simbao hailed Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) and the National Malaria Control Centre (NMCC) for spearheading the fight against malaria.
Kabwata Catholic Church, Father Oswald Mallya said the Church would continue to spread sensitisation and awareness meetings to educate the public to fight against malaria.
Father Mallya hailed the Government for the measures such as supply of treated mosquito nets it had put in place as a way to reduce malaria among children and pregnant mothers.
Times of Zambia
#1
I can see Hon Kapembwa Simbao u hav started on a good not dont stop
ah #2
#2 also
Have you heard Flies!
Nambala mutanda
Ba Chewe don’t go pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease!
Yes we can! to all my fellow abena kristu lets help our goverment to eliminate this desease.In some countries e.g south africa there is no malaria.they are scared of it than they are scared of Aids, when you are diagonised with it,they will even put you in an isolation hospital.So we acn do the same pa Zed naifwe.
Ha ha ha #8 its the same here,its been in the news and anouncements that all those that travelled to countries were malaria is high should report to nearest hospitals after one guy died of malaria after visiting Gambia, its really a big thing and they put u in isolation for somedays,yet pa Zed its just one of those things, they dont take it serious.
Not only CHAZ and Malaria Control Centre are fighting the battle to eradicate Malaria.There’s one powerful Oganisation called Malaria Research Institute down south which is spearheading the fight.Google this site and you be amazed!
What are all those candles for? to burn mosquitoes?
Malaria is a tropical disease and its transmitted by a bite from an anopheles female mosquito which is carrying mps its not contagious to warrant the isolation. South Africa and Europe are outside the tropics where there are no mosquitoes and so the chances of having malaria in those areas are almost zero. Even if you go with Malaria that side it will not be transmitted to anybody because the media of transmitting the parasite the mosquito is not there.Get informed.
#12 thats very true but these pipo wont take any infor from africa they dont accept it as qualified unless they scientifically prove it here.all those that travelled to africa and asia have been called for tests,just because 1 PERSON DIED.its not the first time.there is a delibarate “law” that travel agencies should provide infor to customers on malaria pills for certain countries so pipo have no excuse that travellers didnt know
The problem is that these chaps outside Africa want to paint a bad picture on Africa like its its a very dark continent with strange diseases and yet people are dying everywhere whether it’s from HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Cancer, Cardiac Arrest etc
Please try to eliminate the cause of malaria as this will help us to eradicate the disease. Mosquito nets are only secondary prevention as they protect us from being bitten by mosquito when we are sleeping. If we happen to eliminate the mosquito that carry the malaria virus it will help us to save life and put that money which being wasted to buy mosquito nets develop our healthy infrastructures.
We should learn from Cuba the way it managed to overcome a Malaria related diseases caused by mosquitoes.
Roll-back of Malaria? Excellent idea, Mr Minister. But, listen up, Sir. You must now chart a path that people can buy into. Don’t just request assistance.Come up with plans of: (a) Spraying townships and suburbs with anti-mosquitoes chemicals,(b) Identify areas prone to floods (stagnant water, wells, pit latrines) and waste water pools. Prepare a biannual spraying plan stating specifically who will spray where and how? Target councils, mines councils, hospitals & volunteers for help. Assess capacity to perform and supply chemicals. Advertise in the press (email, sms too) for people to sign up or identify notorious bleeding grounds for mosquitoes. People will help, Sir. Just advertise!
By 2010, Malaria will be eliminated in 90% of Zambia. Just make a good plan that will run at least every six months. The outgoing President of the United States (George Walker Bush) has been boasting about supplying mosquito nets to poor Africans. I am sure, if you show him a master plan to roll-back Malaria FOREVER from Zambia..and show him a list of volunteers (private companies, hospitals, school boards, councils, NGOs etc), he will definitely wag his tail. That’s what people like Bush wants to see. Millions of people getting involved in their “philanthropic activities” so thay can sing about it all night. Bush and his wife are already heavily involved in Zed. United Nations will help.
Dem ya candlelight ceremony looks more like a voodoo ceremony. Is like dem want fi make peace with demons of malaria.
Mia think dis is bombaklaat.Watch your back bobo ashantes.Dem babylonians are here to mash you down.
L449Y5