Minister of Health Jonas Chanda has reiterated that the government is being cautious with which COVID-19 vaccine it should bring in the country.
Dr Chanda said it is for this reason that the government is taking a conscious approach in the procurement of the Coronavirus vaccines, as the medicine to be acquired has to meet three criteria of effectiveness, safe and logistically.
ZANIS reports that Dr Chanda was speaking during the Sunday Interview program on ZNBC TV last evening.
Dr Chanda explained that the government wants to procure a vaccine that will work effectively on the variant in the country.
He said there is a need for the people to have confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine before it is procured and brought into the country.
“With the COVID-19 vaccine, you have to give confidence to the people. If you rush to bring a vaccine and people have no confidence in it, no one will take it. People need to know the manufacturer and where it is coming from” Dr Chanda pointed out.
The Minister stressed that he is very confident that by the time the vaccine will be brought in the country, the response by the people will be very good as they will not have any suspicions about it.
And Dr Chanda disclosed that President Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministry of Health and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to meet and discuss the way elections will be conducted amidst COVID-19.
He further disclosed that his Ministry is scheduled to have a meeting today the 22nd of February, 2021, with ECZ to outline the guidelines in terms of the political public rallies and how the elections will be conducted.
The Minister said the Ministry of Health has already communicated with all political parties to guide them on how to obey public health guidelines and who to contact in their districts.
“COVID-19 does not know which political party you belong to, your tribe, or province you come from. If you go to our health care centers, the patients who are sick have no such identity, they are just Zambians,” he said.
Dr Chanda explained that elections are a constitutional matter that will have to be done regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Dr Chanda said his ministry has moved all procurement issues to Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMSA) to reduce allegations of corruption which mainly have to do with procurement systems at the Ministry of Health.
Dr Chanda urged the Zambian people to have confidence in the Ministry of health as they are there to help and not harm them.
He said there is need for his ministry to also regain trust with their cooperating partners who had major concerns regarding the recent happenings in the Ministry of Health.
He noted that he has had engagement meetings with key Ambassadors accredited to Zambia and Cooperating partners to assure them that the Ministry is transparent and accountable.
He indicated that he is pleased with the positive response from the cooperating partners who have continued to support the Ministry of health.
Dr Chanda urged everyone to continue following the COVID-19 guidelines for the country to fight the pandemic.
The Honourable is right
But when are u going to make a decision concerning the right type of vaccine Bwana Minister? U have been saying that since u were appointed whilst people are dying and getting infected daily???
We have confidence in the ministry. I am ready to take my vaccine. Enough of covid. I need to travel for business and this virus has made it difficult. We thank God that our businesses are still afloat
Business from proceeds of corruption. Your name will be on Interpol list.
As for vaccine may be chilufya and his gang can develop COVID vaccine for you.
As always Zambia will beg for this vaccine as governments don’t have the money to purchase.
The con artist is busy flashing free money and donating bicycles/ Buses as if he runs a money printing machine, but can’t pay the bond coupon payments
Yes we agree but you need to expedite the process. You might be looking for donor funding but don’t forget some people especially businessmen who wish can afford to pay for the vaccine so the sooner the better.
Bring it some of us we need to get vaccinated,we are tired of this every day fear.
But chickala already got his vaccine at State House. Ukutumpa aba bafficarla.
WHY IS NO ONE ANSWERING THE QUESTION AS TO WHAT VACCINE THE PERSIDENT AND INNER CIRCLE HAVE BEEN GIVEN
IS THIS ANOTHER SECRET
Tikki don’t worry we are making our own vaccine in Zambia and will test it on upnd thugs like you first.
KAIZER STOP BEING STUPID TELL US ABOUT OUR PRESIDENT AND THE VACCINE HE HAS BEEN GIVEN
WHY THE SECRECY ??????????
ME UPND KIKIKIKI
ME WANT PFFF OUT THATS ALL
Vaccine ? From ? China ? Russia? Witch vaccine is he talking about ?
Mozambique and Ghana have already gotten their vaccine from China. Muzafa ba ngwele, always sleepy. People WORLD over are scrambling for the vaccines and You are still deciding? Yangu mayo twalapwa!! Lungu has effectively failed to manage this pandemic. Failed!!
There is no vaccine they have ordered
You should not be too keen to get vaccinated as none of the vaccines have been fully tested. If you take any of them you will be another Bill Gates Guinea pig.
Listen to what Dr Nevers Mumba has to say about it. I wish we had someone like him here in Australia,
https://youtu.be/mhZL3eBafEw