A US$5.6 million United States funded strategic information initiative has today been launched at the University of Zambia (UNZA).
The initiative will be implemented by four institutions namely Ministry of Health, Central Statistics Office, National AIDS Council and the University of Zambia with the aim of strengthening Zambia’s health information systems.
The initiative will further develop capacity of the government institutions to utilise their HIV/AIDS and other health data for programme planning.
Deputy Minister of Health Patrick Chikusu launched the initiative today and commended the US government for its continued support to the health sector especially in the area of research.
Dr. Chikusu said government was aware of the role of research in the development of the country.
He said the country needs to collect and use quality data in order to implement its programmes effectively.
And US ambassador to Zambia Mark Stollera said the initiative will equip leaders in Zambia to make informed decisions about health.
Mr. Stollera said his government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), was committed to building systems and enhancing expertise to reach Zambia’s own strategic information goals.
He said the initiative will also build capacity of academic and government institutions to train staff to analyse, interpret and utilise data for programme planning to improve HIV/AIDS and other health outcomes.
And University of Zambia Vice Chancellor Stephen Simukanga commended the US government for funding the initiative and pledged to use the funds for the intended purpose.
After the official launch of the initiative, the two governments officially opened the Centre of Excellence for Monitoring and Evaluation at UNZA’s School of Humanities and Social Science which has ten offices and a fully furnished computer room.
[ZANIS]
Good initiative.
Its a very small donation that doesnt need publicity.
Really? Just be grateful for once.
WHO IS PUBLISHING IT? HOPE YOU ARE NOT THINKING ITS THE GVT REPORTING HERE. KEKEKEKEKE. SOME PEOPLE!! THIS NEWS IS BEING REPORTED TO YOU BY BA LT SO THAT YOU KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR MMD IMPOVERISHED COUNTRY. AWE MWEEE!!!
I MEANT PUBLICIZING
Good. However, I must add that these announcements of amounts and initiatives has created a lot of cynicism because the population – even the targeted population for that matter – are not made to see what it is that they will tangibly benefit from this. We need social entrepreneur behaviors of being functionally accountable outside of the balance sheets and signatures… what we call “information on the ground”.
LT just reject my comment. I am tired of this moderation thing. What do you moderate?
LT just reject my comment. I am tired of this moderation thing. What do you moderate?
what strategic information which is not already there?
we have been having these studies from time immemorial and nothing tangible ever come out of them.
the only people who will enjoy these, are those that will be in attendance, always the same people, if i may add.
how i miss margret thatcher and her ‘do not give aid in form of cash to african countries but materials cos its rare that aid reaches its intended target.’
these workshops should be done away with.
by the way, is that initiative free or in form of a loan?
Hope someone does not pocket the money and do a useless work at the campus.
Nonsense. the best initiative for UNZA would be for the business community to build a modern business park at UNZA between Arcades and the UNZA bus station which will comprise of financial institutions, business firms and modern lecture theatres and housing apartments. the money gained from the lease of this land by UNZA would enable them plan and manage their own initiatives… not this nonsense these people are doing. sustainable projects for UNZA!