Minister of Health, Alex Katakwe, has reiterated that enhancing food security across the country remains a priority on the national agenda, as it significantly reduces the disease burden.
Dr Katakwe made these remarks in a speech read for him by Minister of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Lishimpi, at the launch of the digital food import and export health clearance certificate system in Lusaka today.
Dr Katakwe highlighted that the new system moves his ministry from a manual way of processing payments to a fully digital approach to modernise the issuance and payment processes for importers, exporters, and transit users of goods.
He explained that the new system was established by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with SMART Zambia, Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders to enhance efficiency.
The Minister further stated that efficiency in the sector plays a critical role in economic growth as Zambia continues to position its mark in the region.
He added that the newly launched system marks a meaningful step forward in building a modern system as the government is prepared to strengthen collaboration, placing businesses and citizens at the centre.
Acting Director for Public Health, Isabel Meleki, highlighted that the new system which is integrated with the government’s service bus will enable secure and efficient data sharing.
Dr Meleki notes that the system enhances Zambia’s ability to protect public health at points of entry and exit by strengthening controls on exported as well as transiting goods, while reducing the risk of unsafe products entering the country.
She emphasised that the system will modernise the issuance and payments of import and exports for transit of goods across government institutions involved in trade and regulation.
“Through this integration, processes that were previously manual and time consuming are now streamlined faster and more transparent,” she noted.
Assistant Director in charge of Environmental Health, Meetwell Cheelo, highlighted that the new system introduces the flexibility of payments as it enables secure information sharing in cross border trade and transit of goods in Zambia.
“This will improve timeliness, it will also bring consistency and flexibility of payments,” Mr Cheelo stated.
And, IHM Southern Africa Lead Developer of the Digital Platform, Gift Mungule, assured that the system is functional, indicating that test applications have been successfully completed.
