The Japanese government has given Zambia a grant of K15.4 billion for the procurement of medical equipment for the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka.
Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane and Japanese Ambassador to Zambia, Hideto Mitamura signed the grant agreement in Lusaka today.
Dr. Musokotwane said the grant, which will be managed by the Japanese International Cooperation Aid (JICA), will be used for the intended purpose of assisting UTH procure medical equipment.
“I want to put it on record here that this grant money comes from the Japanese taxpayers and therefore the government will ensure that it is put to its intended purpose,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for the grant, adding that Zambia has received a lot of assistance from that government.
And Mr. Mitamura said the equipment to be provided to the UTH include among others, anesthesia machines, suction machines, sonograms and patient surveillance monitors.
He noted that although indicators show that child and maternal health have improved since the late 1990s in Zambia, the health situations in the country was still unsatisfactory.[quote]
He said his government has contributed significantly towards the improvement of the health sectors in various African countries.
“The economic and human burden of poor health in any nation impacts negatively on the progress of any economy,” he said.
Mr. Mitamura said the equipment would help Zambian medical personnel to apply their skills effectively, adding that this will translate into improved health services for Zambian people.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mitamura has urged government to seriously and conclusively pursue the matter of public funds embezzlement at the Ministry of Health.
“The embassy urges the Zambia government to get to the bottom of this matter and take necessary measures to improve financial management system so that foreign assistance will reach effectively to the people who need it,” he said.
ZANIS
Good news. Please no madilu
Ba Zambia naimwee , kale mwamba ukufola ama grant… this is DEAD AID….
An entire country is giving Zambia K15.4 billion to improve our medical sector to which everyone will benefit from (those of us who attend hospitals in Zambia); Meanwhile our own ‘government’ wants to dish out K27 billion to Chongwe! I honestly hope this man will never aspire to hold a public office again in his life as a Zambian or whatever he is ….. because this goes to show you what kind of person he is. No interest whatsoever for the country. I hope we Zambians do not forget this and next time he is vying for public office, we go out there and vote for such a one….Why did Mwanawasa pull out RB from his resting place….Oh my…..
Street vendors are back. There is a big group at the Kulima Tower cross junction on Cha Cha Cha Road. Kapata, pleeeasee do something!!
Thanks Japan such equipment enables the hospital to function effectively. I hope management maintains it well.
Zambia lacks leadership the loan from Japan make no sense just to buy few equipments in a hospital which is dilapidated are there are no wheelchairs for the sick at the ER.What you need is to renovate and updated the whole hospital including the mogue which might cost $30 – $100 million dollars.Good luck Zambians one day you will have real men to lead you.
I do not really understand what all these things mean pa Zed. In the other posting, H.E.R.B is reported to have boasted about Zambia’s US$1.8 billion in foreign reserves. Why then should our Govt get a grant of ZMK15.4 billion, an equivalent of US$3.2 million, when we have so much in reserves. Who or what are we reserving the money for if it can’t be used to solve the very problems it is meant for? I mean the Zambian citizens’ problems – healthcare, education, social security, etc.
This is nothing, a drop in wide sea. Ba japan nabena. Just to buy a few suction machines and bla bla. At least its a grant to be manged by JICA, dont give them thieves money for surely they will steal it. JICA will give japenese firms to supply the equipment, thats how these burgers have had us so indebted! The money will still go back to japan, and we still have to pay them back. This is crap!
mwalya again ku health bakabolala bamambala
I agree. That last line is pttrey much saying its a good thing we had this hidden, censorship is the best! . Somehow I just don’t think its better that people don’t know about this.