The World Bank has approved a $6 million funding for the implementation of the Africa Centre of Excellence in Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (ACEEZD) by the University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Veterinary Medicine.
The project aims to develop a critical mass of skilled human resource that will contribute to the development of innovative interventions for the control and elimination of emerging and zoonotic diseases through research and training.
UNZA Acting Vice Chancellor Mick Mwala disclosed that the $6 million project will run for the period of five years.
Dr. Mwala said UNZA will implement the project in collaboration with the Copperbelt University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University and Sokoine University of Agriculture and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences of Tanzania.
He said this in Lusaka today when he officially opened the 2016 one day Scientific Symposium at the UNZA School of Veterinary Medicine under the theme “Sustainable animal and human health through research” The symposium has attracted leaders of academia, private sector, pharmaceutical and agro veterinary companies, famers, cooperatives, statutory regulatory authorities among others.
And Dr. Mwala thanked all government ministries, departments and other agencies that rendered support to ensure the project was approved by the World Bank.
Meanwhile, UNZA School of Veterinary Medicine Kennedy Chongo has called on the private sector to come on board in finding lasting solutions to critical issues affecting animals.
Dr. Chongo said private sector participation is key in improving service delivery and ultimately meet the needs of society.
Spread out the programme to other universities or branches, please!
Maybe these smart kids can educate our minister of tourism and arts the consequences of killing animals which is damaging to our ecosystems further causing major climate change. All things are connected and if you keep eliminating environmental factors causes irreversible damages. I hope Jean Kapata and Stephen Mwansa don’t block these bright kids like they do Zambian International students with degrees in tourism management wanting to come back and contribute to the tourism industry. This can be a great addition to Attractions Management something Jean Kapata would not know.
Instead of GRZ funding this themselves they would rather increase salaries for chiefs and contract a loan from the devil…that’s Lazy Lungu type of myopic thinking!!
@Jay Jay, am with you on the first part of your sentence. They have spent millions to orer Lungu’s campaign materials and now they want to borrow ka $6m. Poor failed leadership is seen in Lungu.