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The Governor of the Katanga Region has requested for 15 000 metric tonnes of maize from Zambia to help people particularly in the Katanga region.
Haut Katanga Governor Jacques Kyabula Katwe made the request when he paid a courtesy call on Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo.
He said the Democratic Republic of Congo particularly the Katanga region is faced with food shortages hence his decision to approach Zambia for help.
The Governor acknowledged that Zambia in 2017 provided the DRC with 15, 000 metric tonnes of maize at the request of his government and expressed hope that their request will be attended to again.
He said Zambia remains the major exporter of food in the Katanga region accounting for about 80 percent of the food exported by neighbouring countries to the region.
Meanwhile Mr. Katwe says both the Zambia and DR Congo governments will need to respond to the needs of the mining sector which employ many people in the two countries.
He said the response to calls for investment in the agriculture sector has not been impressive.
Mr. Katwe said in as much as the two countries need to encourage investment in the agriculture sectors, the mining sector remains the backbone of their economies hence the need to respond to the needs of investors.
Earlier, Mr Lusambo invited Mr Katwe for the yet to be held Lusaka investment expo.He said the expo will attract investors and DR Congo can use the opportunity to attract investment in the Agriculture sector.
Former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili
The Drug Enforcement Commission this morning issued a call out to opposition leader Chishimba Kambwili to appear for questioning.
The Commission wants Dr Kambwili to appear before its officers at DEC Headquarters at 10:00 Hrs without fail.
Sources have indicated that President Edgar Lungu has instructed DEC to arrest Dr Kambwili after he issued statements linking State House to drug trafficking.
It is unclear whether Dr Kambwili will turn up at the DEC Headquarters for questioning.
The lineup for the 2019 U23 AFCON final was completed on Tuesday with a high -powered roll of team’s joining Zambia and hosts Egypt at the November finals.
Zambia, who were the first team to qualify to the U23 AFCON on Sunday, were joined by the remaining seven nations who all played on Tuesday.
In Tunis, Cameroon lost 2-1 away to Tunisia but qualified on away goals rule after a 2-2 aggregate result.
Ghana too are through following a 1-0 away win over 2015 runners-up Algeria in Setif to qualify 2-1 on aggregate.
In Harare, Zimbabwe could only get a 0-0 home draw against 2015 bronze medalists South Africa in Bulawayo who had hammered them 5-0 away in the first leg that saw the latter advance via the same aggregate result.
Defending champions Nigeria equaled South Africa’s first leg score line when they beat Sudan at home in Asaba to overturn a 1-0 away first leg loss to book their ticket to Cairo.
But there was heartbreak for Patrice Beaumelle in Bamako after 2011 runners-up Morocco were eliminated following a 1-0 away loss to Mali who qualified 2-1 on aggregate.
And in Conakry, Cote d’Ivoire avenged their 1-0 home loss to Guinea to win 2-1 away to qualify on away goals rule following a 2-2 aggregate score line.
Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa are the only ones who have qualified for each tournament as they head into their third successive outing.
This will be Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire and Mali’s second outing while Cameroon and Ghana, despite their rich history of junior football pedigree, will be making their tournament debuts.
Article 108 (1) of our Republican Constitution is very clear around grounds on which the PRESIDENT can and/ or should be impeached from office.
But of curious consideration is (1)(c) of the same Article which essentially provides for the impeachment of the PRESIDENT on grounds of Gross Misconduct.
*Gross Misconduct must be understood as either deliberate wrongdoing or gross negligence on the part of the President, that it fundamentally undermines the relationship of trust and confidence between him, the Presidency and we the people who elected him into that office.
In terms of being liable for gross negligence in the exercise of his duties, the President can be understood to have consciously and voluntarily disregarded the need to exercise reasonable care, which can occasion foreseeable grave injury or harm to the republic.
Now, authorities in the United States of America have a sworn testimony linking a known associate of the President to illegal drug trafficking violations.
Now, does the President know of his associate’s illegal activities? I don’t know.
Should the President have knowledge of his associate’s illegal activities? Yes he should.
Is it probable, given the intimate association the President shares with this individual, that he has full knowledge of the illegal activities linking the named individual to an indictment in the US? Absolutely.
Surely, with all the security and investigative apparatus at his disposal, the PRESIDENT must have, surely he does have, the full and complete profile of the person he has on several occasions allowed to share the Presidential Jet – a public aircraft paid for by Zambians.
If the PRESIDENT has zero knowledge of the illegal activities his close associate is involved in, then perhaps our secret service and all security apparatus in Zambia are not doing their job – and the public must not accept that. These are professionals. They know how to do their jobs and protect the integrity of the highest office in the land.
I think MPs must go to Parliament and ask Speaker Patrick Matibini to make way for an impeachment motion arising from this issue.
Let the PRESIDENT for once be put on inquiry so that he may show cause why he should not be impeached from office.
The Presidency does not belong to an individual or the party in power, and certainly not to drug barons.
The Presidency belongs to Zambians.
It’s integrity must be protected at all costs.
Right now, investors are asking one question: Is he in on this or is he not?
When Grace Mutembo was named Anakazi Women of the Year in Construction she was encountering career challenges that made her question if she wanted to continue a career in engineering. However, the award gave her a new resolve to finish the exceptional work she had started.
“My winning the Women of the Year in construction award was unexpected but it did come at a crucial time because I was facing some problems that made me consider a career outside engineering,” she said.
Mrs Mutembo is a civil engineer with a degree from the University of Zambia and a Master’s degree in engineering specialising in transportation engineering from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.
She is a senior manager in design at the Road Development Agency, an organisation she has been with for the last 13 years. She co-ordinates the review of all the road engineering designs for the road network managed by the agency, and dealing with issues related to road construction.
Mrs Mutembo also established the first research and development unit in the road sector in Zambia in 2013.
Despite all her achievements, Mrs Mutembo felt she needed to walk away from a job and career she not only loved but thrived in.
“I love my job; every project is interesting and takes me around the country. However, in spite of how good I am at my job I face the challenge of not been taken seriously by some of our key stakeholders because they don’t expect a woman to know anything about engineering. I sometimes have to ask my male colleagues to speak to them, only then do they listen.”
Winning Stanbic Bank’s Anakazi Women of the Year Award in construction gave her a new resolve to continue the important work she had started, and now she has no desire to give up engineering.
“My goal right now is to see a properly designed road constructed with all the required facilities notwithstanding the budgetary constraints roads constructors experience,” she said.
Mrs Mutembo also hopes to someday open an engineering consultation firm.
Such ventures are encouraged and supported by Stanbic’s Anakazi Banking initiative that empowers female entrepreneurs by giving them access to finance and equipping them with tools to run successful businesses through masterclasses and networking opportunities.
Her career plays an important role in her life, but what is more important to Mrs Mutembo is raising her family and playing a key role in her child’s life.
“I’m a mother to a wonderful boy called Chabota. Although my career is demanding I always find time to spend with my son and make sure he is never starved of my attention.”
While Mrs Mutembo still faces the challenge of sometimes being judged by her gender and not her good work, she would still like to see more female engineers.
“My message for the women that want to pursue engineering or any career path is: stay focused. You will face hurdles; some might seem impossible. Believe in yourself regardless of the environment around you. Set goals and stick to them”
FILE: Mr. Vildan Findlayi standing between President Edgar Lungu and Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex shortly after the official talks at State House
New Congress Party President Peter Chanda has cautioned opposition National Democratic Congress-(NDC) leader Chishimba Kambwili against discrediting President Edgar Lungu.
Pastor Chanda said that Mr. Kambwili has continued issuing defamatory statements against the President even after being reported to the Police for uttering disparaging remarks against the Head of State. Mr. Chanda reminded Mr. Kambwili that providing checks and balances by the opposition does not mean spreading falsehoods.
And Zambia Republican Party President Wright Musoma has called on Zambians not to be deceived by the opposition leader. Mr. Musoma said the Presidency should be protected against ill-conceived criticism.
Meanwhile, the Evangelical Youth Alliance has advised some opposition political party leaders to respect the Presidency. Alliance Executive Director Moses Lungu says political leaders should refrain from issuing malicious statements against President Edgar Lungu.
Reverend Lungu was referring to former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili who yesterday at a media briefing raised various allegations against President Lungu, saying it was not right to make allegations that are not backed by evidence.
On Monday, the NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili alleged that the Zambian Presidency had been captured by what his party described as a convicted drug baron. According to Mr Kambwili, Mr. Vildan Findlay is on the FBI wanted list for drug-related offenses and questioned why President Lungu has continued associating himself with business executive Vildan Findlay.
Mr Kambwili further alleged that Mr.Findlay was once arrested and convicted for drug peddling under the Kaunda regime and that it was surprising that Mr Lungu has been moving with a person whose personality is questionable.
Mr Kambwili said it will not be surprising if Findlay has been using the presidential challenger plane to peddle drugs.
Mr Kambwili wants President Lungu to explain the nature of the business he does with Findlay, adding that he has made the revelation to protect the institution of the Presidency and that President Lungu should stop his association with Findlay in the national interest.
The NDC leader has since urged the FBI to pursue Mr. Findlay.
Mr Hichilema speaking at a news conference at his residence.
The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) has urged the United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Hakainde Hichilema to stop lying that he was blocked from donating 25,000 bags of mealie meal to vulnerable communities.
DMMU Communications Officer Rachael Chama said at no time has the UPND leader engaged the DMMU, which is mandated to coordinate the relief provision and distribution in the country, over his desire to make the donation.
“DMMU has extended a call to all well-meaning Zambians who wish to complement government efforts in providing relief, to do so through the Office. To that effect, DMMU has since been receiving donations from different stakeholders and individuals with the aim of mitigating the food insecurity being experienced in parts of the country,” she said.
Meanwhile, the DMMU Communications Officer disclosed that her office has since February this year distributed 37,435 metric tons of maize, mealie meal, and maize bran, benefitting a total of 1, 677,000 identified vulnerable households across the country.
“Relief distribution by DMMU is not meant to replace people’s coping capacities and is purely to supplement local abilities of sustenance and strengthening of resilience and reducing vulnerability. The Unit is guided by the four principles namely; Humanity, Neutrality, Impartiality and Independence, in the execution of all humanitarian programs and the current distribution is no exception,” said Ms. Chama.
“In addition to the mealie meal, DMMU is also distributing maize bran, the by-product of the mealie meal to identified livestock and fish farming cooperatives in selected districts. The maize bran is specifically meant for livestock as supplementary feed.”
She added that the Unit is also mitigating the drought situation by drilling community boreholes in areas facing water challenges.
Ms. Chama stated that the Unit, in partnership with cooperating partners has so far drilled a total of 46 boreholes across the country, with Southern province receiving 31 boreholes.
Financial Intelligence Centre Director General Mary Chirwa
The Patriotic Front has advised UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema to stop using Financial Intelligence Centre -FIC- Chief Executive Officer Mary Tshuma in his political battles.
PF Media Director Sunday Chanda says the opposition leader should not compromise Ms. Tshuma’s professional standing unless he’s telling the people something they do not know about.
He says the FIC operates without instructions from anyone.
Mr. Chanda says the FIC is an independent and autonomous government institution under the Ministry of Finance whose core function is to receive and analyze financial transactions and reports bordering on suspected money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation.
He says the FIC is 100 percent funded by the Ministry of Finance and has no external funds that come to the Centre which underscores the PF Government’s resolve to strengthen the center as part of the process to ensure its integrity.
Below is the Full statement
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MR. HICHILEMA, DONT DRAG MS. MARY CHIRWA TSHUMA IN YOUR POLITICAL BATTLES
Lusaka, 10th September 2019 – In a statement availed to the Press, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema appears to believe the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) exists in a vacuum. He goes further to ask President Edgar Lungu to keep his hands off FIC because clearly he has no idea how the board is constituted as well as basics of corporate governance in an organization.
We wish to draw Mr. Hichilema’s attention to the following:
1. The John Kasanga Board’s tenure came to an end eight (08) months ago in January 2019.
2. The Financial Intelligence Centre is a statutory body established under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act no. 46 of 2016
3. FIC is an independent and autonomous Government institution under the Ministry of Finance.
4. The core function of the FIC is to receive and analyze financial transactions reports bordering on suspected money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation submitted to it by accountable institutions
5. The FIC is 100% funded by the Ministry of Finance. There are no external funds that come to the Centre, underscoring the PF Government’s resolve to strengthen the center as part of the process to ensure its integrity.
What does Mr Hichilema recommend should have happened to a Board whose mandate expired eight (08) months ago?
We are also worried at attempts by Mr. Hichilema to use FIC Chief Executive Officer Mary Tshuma’s name to qualify his politically charged but factually flawed statement on this matter. We do not understand why he would choose to use Ms. Tshuma’s name in his political battles?
May we advise Mr. Hichilema not to compromise Ms. Tshuma’s professional standing unless he’s telling us something we do not know about. It’s a fact that FIC operates without instructions from anyone least of all, Mr. Hichilema.
Lastly, we are not sure if it is Mr. Hichilema’s considered view that Ms. Tshuma is the Alpha and Omega of FIC. We do not believe Ms. Tshuma thinks of herself as the “Life CEO” for FIC in the manner that Mr. Hichilema is “Life President” of UPND.
Please Mr. Hichilema, keep your hands off FIC. Let professionalism reign!
Issued by:
Sunday Chanda
Media Director – PF
Party Headquarters
Patson Daka has praised his colleagues character in Sunday’s away draw against Congo Brazzaville that sealed their 2019 U23 AFCON final place.
Zambia drew 3-3 away to Congo in their final round, last leg qualifier at Pointe Noir in a match they rallied twice after Congo had taken a 12th minute lead via a penalty to qualify for the Egypt finals 5-4 on aggregate.
“It a very intensive game, it was what we expected. We were ready for it and we knew that it was not going to be easy. We also talked before we came here that it is good that we won 2-1 so that we were not relaxed when we come here which was very important for us. I give credit to the entire teams for showing character because it was not easy playing away. “Patson said.
Patson scored Zambia’s second goal after halftime in-between midfielder Enock Mwepu’s brace, who netted in both halves, to ensure the sides qualification.
“The way we responded after conceding the first goal showed a lot of maturity, courage and determination that the team has. We believe in ourselves no matter what happens we knew that God is always on our side. We know that everything is possible and we can turn things around,” Patson said.
Zambia now for the tournament draws after the remaining seven games are completed on Tuesday across Africa.
The top three finishers at the U23 AFCON this November will represent Africa at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Finance Minister Dr Bwalya Ng’andu has appointed a new board of the Financial Intelligence Centre, replacing the one led by Mr John Kasanga.
In a statement released to the media, Minister of Finance, Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu said President Lungu has appointed a new board for the Financial Intelligence Center in accordance with Section 6G of the FIC ACT number 46, of 2010. He said the appointments come at the back of the end of tenure of the previous board in January, 2019.
Dr. Ng’andu thanked Dr. John Kasanga, for his contribution as interim board chair.He also thanked the other members of the previous board for their tireless efforts in furtherance of the objectives of the FIC.
The new members appointed by the President are:
1. Hon. Justice Prisca Matimba Nyambe, SC
2. Ms. Pelagia Kalunga
3. Dr. Mike B. Goma
4. Ms. Regina Kasonde Mulenga
5. Mr. George Chilengwa Siame
The new FIC board chairperson is Mr. George Chilengwa Siame. Dr.Ng’andu congratulated the new board on their deserved appointments.
The new FIC Board unveiled
Dr.Ng’andu advised the new board that corporate governance requires that the board of directors limit their roles to policy oversight and leave operational matters to the employees of the institution.
“As non-executive board, you need to ensure that you do not interfere with the operations of the institution,”he said.
The role of the FIC
Dr.Ng’andu outlined the FIC as an independent and autonomous government institution under the Ministry of Finance. He said the core function of the FIC is to receive and analyse financial transactions reports bordering on suspected money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation submitted to it by accountable institutions.
The Financial Intelligence Centre is a statutory body established under the Financial Intelligence Centre ACT no 46 of 2010 (as amended by ACT no. 4 of 2016).
The FIC is 100% funded by the Ministry of Finance. There are no external funds that come to the centre. This underscores the resolve of the government to strengthen the centre as part of the process to ensure its integrity.
The roles of the board
Dr.Ng’andu said the new board have a duty to uphold the operational independence of the Institution, as this is one of the requirements by the International Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the financing of terrorism standards on the operation of the Financial Intelligence units.
The following are the roles of the board:
• Monitor and review the administrative performance of the centre in the carrying out of its functions under the ACT;
• Approve policies for the proper administration and management of the centre;
• Review the implementation of cooperation agreements between the centre and domestic or foreign designated authorities;
• Consider and approve the proposed budget of the centre; and,
• Perform such other functions as are necessary to give effect to this act.
Coordinative role of the FIC among National AML Institutions
Dr. Ng’andu reiterated that the FIC is the secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) task force of senior officials which is chaired by the Ministry of Finance. They coordinate domestic, regional and international AML/CFT matters and latitude should be accorded to them to ensure the country is not lagging in implementing (AML/CFT) standards. So far, he said they have done extremely well by coordinating the recent mutual evaluation for Zambia.
International Accreditation of the FIC
In September 2018, the FIC was admitted as a member of EGMONT group, following a rigorous assessment by the international community on anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism, as to whether the FIC was operating in line with the international standards. Zambia’s application to become a member of EGMONT group as required by the global anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism standards commenced in 2014. Over the years, Zambia underwent several rigorous assessments to determine the country’s readiness for membership which assessments have yielded positive results. The government therefore expects the board to continue with initiatives that embellish Zambia among countries with best practice in Financial Intelligence.
Special assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Mr. Isaac Chipampe
State House says law enforcement agencies will investigate drug trafficking allegations with all appropriate authorities.
Commenting on allegations by NDC leader Chishimba Kambwili that Lusaka businessman Valden Findlay could be pushing drugs using the presidential jet, State House says the matter will be fully investigated.
In a brief statement, Special Assistant to the President Isaac Chipampe said State House takes very seriously any allegation related to drug trafficking.
“Therefore, Zambian law enforcement agencies will take appropriate steps to investigate the allegations in connection with drug trafficking in coordination will all appropriate authorities,” Mr Chipampe said.
Zambia has continued to receive Asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite the change of government in that country.
Zambia’s Commissioner for Refugees Abdon Mawere, disclosed that the country has continued receiving about 200 refugees per month from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and others that include Burundi and Somalia.
Mr Mawere said it was expected that the inflow of refugees from the DRC will reduce or come to a halt after the election, adding that the situation is however different.
He disclosed that currently, about 40 asylum seekers were stationed at the border in the northern region of Zambia, awaiting to be taken to Meheba Refugee Settlement in Kalumbila District in North-western Province.
The Commissioner for Refugees disclosed that the total number of persons of concern and refugees has risen from over 81,000 to 83,692 as at August 2019.
Mr Mawere has also confirmed that some refugees have indicated to the authority regarding their intention to be repatriated back to the DRC following the seemingly return of peace in that country.
He added that 43 Congolese Refugees have indicated to the commission for refugees that they are willing to return to their country of origin, while other asylum seekers have spontaneously returned.
He revealed that officers under his department are currently assessing the situation at Mantapala resettlement, in order to establish the number of refugees who are willing to return.
He stressed that government and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees will engage the Congolese government in a tripartite mechanism, to repatriate refugees, should they establish that a large number is willing to return back home.
He further cautioned refugees willing to return to their countries of origin, to engage the authorities, and avoid returning spontaneously which he said is a risk for them.
As opposition UPND President Hakainde Hichilema weighs in on this such important issue, it may be useful for Zambians to be reminded of why we are concerned about the allegations raised in this issue.
In Zambia, the Presidency is the embodiment and epitome of who we not only are, but also the national character we collectively aspire to.
This is why nearly all, if not all things under the umbrella of our Republican Constitution, including the vastness of our natural resource endowments – from minerals, wildlife, water bodies and all land, are vested in the hands of the President. He is the guardian and custodian of it all.
He commands that much power and control and that his word alone is itself law upon pronouncement.
And while our system of laws have theoretical safeguards in place to regulate the fullest extent of Presidential powers, there really exists no practical limits to what the PRESIDENT can or cannot do.
And therein lies the danger to all of us.
Dr. Chishimba Kambwili bravely went on the record yesterday, detailing how very close associates of the Republican PRESIDENT have been named in an active drugs related criminal investigation in the United States of America. Of course, this is not an indictment of the Republican PRESIDENT himself. However, it does and should raise very serious concerns about the nature and extent of the President’s association with such individuals.
At a bare minimum, these allegations have the potential to damage trust and confidence in the PRESIDENT and the entirety of the Presidency, as it calls into great question the judgement of the man occupying the highest and most powerful office in the land.
Not only this, an active association by the PRESIDENT with individuals subject of such serious criminal investigations also begin to call into question the President’s ability to act in the best interest of the public, when such associations have the potential to have him conflicted at the very highest level.
There are in fact active reports, that this named individual and others within his circles have been influencing how appointments to key public positions are effected. There are already very serious doubts about the Board Chairmanship at ZESCO and how this came to be, as well as certain key appointments inside the Presidency itself.
Zambians cannot afford a technical or actual STATE CAPTURE. Zambians need a PRESIDENT that will actively be working for them and focussing on serving the national interest and not that of purported criminal cartels. And because of the nature of the criminal investigations surrounding the named individuals and the close association they share with the PRESIDENT and the Presidency, to the extent of routinely sharing the Presidential Jet and consistently being part of the Presidential travelling party on official visits, notably Swaziland, concerns are now being raised about the potential for a public office and the officer occupying it to be used as conduits and accomplices to criminal activities.
Of course, all these are only intimations but they are firmly rooted in active events.
As a matter of moving forward, it is absolutely imperative, that our Law Enforcement Agencies open up active lines of enquiry and liaison with their counterparts in the United States of America for purposes of getting a fuller understanding of the nature of this inquiry, as well as whether or not enough grounds exist for us to open up our own investigations into the activities of specific individuals here in Zambia.
LEAs in Zambia may also wish to liaise with South African authorities on the basis that strong links have been established, linking named individuals to criminal activities in that country.
In the meantime, I would challenge the PF government to deny any impropriety linked to the Presidency as a result of this US investigation, as well as moving to dissociate the Presidency from all individuals named in this criminal inquiry.
Also, can the Ministry of Home Affairs under Stephen Kampyongo confirm or deny whether the named individual has ever been issued with a Zambian diplomatic passport and the basis for the issuance of such travel clearance for the named individual.
Zambia belongs to all of us.
We must never allow any individual, irrespective of their elected or appointed position, to launder our national flag for private gain.
GOVERNMENT RELEASES FUNDS FOR LUFUNE AND KAMPOKO BRIDGES..
Government has released K3, 500,000 out of the estimated K4, 367, 099 towards the construction of the Lufune Bridge in Mpika district of Muchinga province.
Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Communications Officer Rachael Chama said The damage to the Bridge was triggered by the force of flash flooding that overcame the structure’s vulnerability due to corrosion of the Armco metal culvert and erosion of the soil around the culvert.
“The height of the bridge of approximately three (3) meters also contributed to the susceptibility as it allowed flood waters to overflow the structure,” she said.
She said the government is replacing the structure with concrete materials to a height of at least five meters supported.
Ms Chama stated that this will allow for flash flood water flows which come with a lot of solid debris materials from the surrounding hills to pass under the bridge without causing erosion to the bridge and its support structures.
“The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), in collaboration with the Road Development Agency (RDA) and the Zambia National Service (ZNS) constructed a temporal by-pass to allow for traffic to flow,” she added.
The DMMU Communications Officer further disclosed that the government has further released K641, 000 for the reconstruction of the Kampoko Bridge in Luano Valley of Central province.
She indicated that the bridge was also washed away due to heavy rains experienced in the area.
A joint study by researchers from the International Institute of Applied Systems and Analysis, the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Zambia has shown that HIV remains the leading cause of death in Zambia.
This is despite the fact that people in sub-Saharan Africa are now living longer than they did two decades ago.
The study also shows that average life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa remains below that of the rest of the world population.
The study results show that HIV/AIDS is still the leading cause of death among Zambian adults in the age group 15 to 59 years, with higher proportions among women than men.
In their study published in the journal Tropical Medicine and International Health, the researchers analyzed the World Health Organization’s Zambia Sample Vital Registration with Verbal Autopsy (SAVVY) survey data to determine the main causes of death among adults in the country.
The study further explored the data to determine whether there were any age-sex cause-specific mortality patterns for the five major causes of death identified within the adult age group and if there was any kind of socio-economic or regional disparity in the causes of death among the adult population.
“There is a great demand for analyzing SAVVY data in order to understand the cause of death patterns specific to Zambia. An empirical investigation based on real data gives crucial input to prioritize health investments that could help to minimize premature deaths, which could, in turn, have immense implications on the economic and physiological wellbeing of the country,” explains Nandita Saikia, a former postdoctoral researcher at IIASA and one of the authors of the study.
The study shows that for men, injuries and accidental deaths was the second leading cause of death, while for women it was tuberculosis.
The researchers, however, point out that some HIV/AIDS deaths might have been misclassified as tuberculosis deaths as the two are closely associated.
Malaria and non-communicable diseases of the circulatory system each also accounted for a significant portion of deaths, although the ranking of these diseases varied by gender.
The study indicates that a notable number of additional years of life expectancy would be gained across the population by eliminating especially HIV/AIDS in the adult age group.
For the male population, the number of years gained would be 5.77 years, while for the female population it would be 6.40 years in the 15 to 59 age group.
Eliminating tuberculosis and malaria in the country could also increase adult life expectancy by between 1.09 and 1.71 years.
In addition to the above, the analysis shows a correlation between level of education and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, along with a strong regional variation in cause of death patterns, especially in terms of HIV/AIDS deaths, which varied between 25.5% in the northern province to 45.1% in the western province of Zambia.
“Our findings reiterate the importance of continuous health investment towards eradicating diseases like HIV/AIDS in terms of treatment, awareness, education, and prevention. At the same time, interventions should take into account age-sex or socioeconomic characteristics. For instance, while men might need more interventions to reduce injury-related deaths, women might need access to more treatment for diseases like HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis,” concludes study lead author Vesper Chisumpa, a PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand and a lecturer at the University of Zambia.
