US pumps K10m into Zambia TB fight
By Ludia Ngwadzai
THE United States (US) Government has given Zambia health equipment and commodities worth over K10 million to strengthen the diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment care of Tuberculosis (TB).
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr Kennedy Lishimpi received the equipment on behalf of the ministry during a handover ceremony on Thursday
The support includes 200 computers to activate GeneXpert machines and expand testing for drug-resistant TB, as well as spirometers and portable oxygen concentrators to improve care for TB survivors experiencing long-term respiratory complications.
Dr Lishimpi said the intervention would contribute to strengthening health services and expanding access to essential TB-related diagnostic and clinical services.
He said the equipment would strengthen TB services across eight provinces, with a focus on improving diagnosis, treatment outcomes and the quality of life of people affected by the disease.
Dr Lishimpi commended the US government, CIDRZ and other cooperating partners for continued support towards strengthening Zambia’s health system and the fight against TB.
He urged members of the public to know the symptoms of TB, seek testing early and complete their prescribed treatment to help curb the spread of the disease.
US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mich Coker described the handover as an important investment in Zambia’s health system.
“This support is an important investment in Zambia’s health system,” Coker said.
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) Chief Medical Officer Dr Carolyn Bolton said the equipment would improve diagnostic and clinical services for people affected by TB.
“This support will improve diagnostic and clinical services for people affected by TB,” Dr Bolton said.
The support has been provided through the Facility and Community-based Service Delivery Support (FC-SDS) and Tuberculosis Local Organisations Network (TB-LON) projects.
