President Rupiah Banda has assured the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) that his Government will release the K2.2 billion meant for retirement packages for daily classified employees who worked for the association.
President Banda said this money has been outstanding since 1996.
He said Government will also ensure that CHAZ daily classified employees who were still not on the pay roll were put on the roll.
President Banda said this in a speech read for him by Presidential Affairs Minister, Ronald Mukuma at the official opening of the 40th annual general council of CHAZ at Mulungushi International Conference Centre today.
Mr. Banda noted that churches have, since 1964, been Government’s trusted ally in terms of providing health care and other services to people, especially in rural areas hence the need to maintain the relations.
He added that CHAZ was a pioneer of introducing home based care services to people living with HIV/AIDS.
“It has put 31,000 people on anti retro therapy. CHAZ has also supported 50,000 orphans in schools successfully,” he said.
The President further said CHAZ has helped 224,000 people suffering from tuberculosis (TB) and distributed thousands of mosquito nets to needy people in an effort to combat malaria.
President Banda said it was for this reason that Government will continue to provide funds to church supported institutions.
He pointed out that Zambians should not ignore the realities of diseases which were challenging the health sector.
He said his Government was resolved to addressing all the impediments that made Government to fail to provide quality health care delivery to the public.
Mr. Banda expressed confidence that since cooperating partners have resumed funding to the Ministry of Health, most of these challenges will be addressed.
He cited the challenges as inadequate funding to the health sector, inadequate staffing levels to the sector and lack of adequate infrastructure.
The President has meanwhile, urged CHAZ and its members to continue complementing Government efforts by providing quality health care services despite various challenges dogging the health sector.
Earlier, CHAZ Board Chairperson, Joop Jansen, said the association was aiming at serving the underprivileged people in society.
Dr. Jansen said CHAZ will endeavour to continue complementing Government in providing health care services in the country.
And in her vote of thanks, Sister Beatrice Chanshi commended Government for standing firm in providing health care services to Zambians even when donors had withdrawn funding to the Ministry of Health last year.
CHAZ consists of members from various church denominations in the country.
[ ZANIS ]
Bwezani the pay master…yeah give them from the Zamtel deal you thief…..
Is CHAZ a govnt department, under which ministry does it fall and how did the govnt end up owing its employees
bamudala you have a heart for zambians and shows in your actions. you are a family man and have always been with your family. let these cruel satanas be just do your work. the money will go a long way in helping these poor souls. how much did RB steal from zamtel aneba ba kabwa redcard red eyes father bwalya and obama wansala wakashika mukanwa
all liabilities created by chiluba