Government has released over K2 million for the purchase of medical supplies and management of COVID-19 patients at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Levy Mwanawasa and Chilenge level one hospitals.
Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Kamanga says the funds are meant to enhance surveillance activities, case investigations, case management, monitoring processes, procurement of medical supplies and community engagement.
Mr Kamanga was speaking during a COVID-19 multi-sectoral taskforce meeting in Lusaka today.
He stated that the funds will be used to procure thermal scanners, sprayers, contact tracing, check spots, community based care and awareness programmes.
“UTH and Levy Mwanawasa hospitals have each been allocated K500, 000 while Chilenje Level One Hospital has been allocated K200, 000 and K350, 000 has been allocated to the Lusaka Provincial Health Office for logistical support in treatment and awareness programmes on COVID-19,” he said.
Mr Kamanga further said K30, 000 will be dispatched to each of the seven districts in the province for COVID-19 awareness programmes.
“This will bring a total to K50, 000 the money that will be spent by each district as each was initially given K20, 000 for similar programmes. The District Commissioners will spearhead the programmes,” he said.
“I will monitor enforcement of the programmes that will be undertaken by the provincial health office as well as the districts as they spend the funds,” he said.
And Provincial Minister, Bowman Lusambo has since donated K140, 000 to help address challenges of transport faced by the provincial COVID-19 multi-sectoral taskforce.
Mr Lusambo stated that he is aware of the challenges of fuel and transport faced by the provincial health office in response to COVID-19.
He said the funds are intended to enhance activities in the fight against the disease stating that Lusaka Province had continued to be the epicentre of COVID-19 in the country.
“At times, we don’t have adequate oxygen as the number of patients that require oxygen is high. We need to enhance our activities so that these numbers reduce,” he said.
The Provincial Minister stressed the need for people to adhere to the health guidelines of masking up, maintaining a social distance, regular handwashing and avoiding crowded places.
But UTH itself needs some refurbishment and upgrade of its dilapidated medical systems. Please release K1 billion for that too.
Vice-president Nalumango should paint that UTH before Christmas this year.
LT are jealous of the revamped UPND, they are still continue reporting on money money….
When and where a govt is working, it is noticeable from the levels of efficiency on the ground and not from announcements of supposed release of financial resources that make no practical impact in the institution(s) granted.
It will end up with Bowman Lusambo, Maria Langa and other PF surrogates. No need to waste time and raise out hopes. This is a government of *****s by *****s for *****s
And then a f00lish upnd diasporan who has never sent not even a bag of salt to his village will come here and say p0ny0
Yaba who can trust your govt on health matters! Not me ….!
When the population of Lusaka was 2 million (we know its more than that now), then the govt has just allocated K1 per person in the fight for covid! Thank you for caring.