HEALTH Minister Joseph Kasonde has called for enhanced ties with neighbouring countries to effectively fight malaria.
Dr Kasonde said there was need to ensure that the borders did not become crossing point for malaria.
He said cross border malaria control activities were important especially with Zimbabwe and other countries which were sharing the Zambezi River with Zambia.
Dr Kasonde was speaking in Livingstone when he paid a curtesy call on Livingstone District Commissioner Omar Munsanje.
“We intend to eliminate malaria in Zambia and if we are to do that effectively, we must work together with our neighbours so that the borders do not become crossing point for the disease.
“It is in our interest to enhance cross border malaria control activities and enhance ties with our neighbours especially Zimbabwe,” Dr Kasonde said.
Livingstone District Medical Officer Cliff Hara said the Tourist Capital was likely to be malaria free because it was small and manageable.
“We are partnering very well with our partners in Zimbabwe to control malaria and we want to do joint sprays and other malaria control activities,” Dr Hara said.
And Mr Munsanje thanked Dr Kasonde for the good developments that were taking place at Livingstone Central Hospital.
“From the time it was declared as Livingstone Central, a lot of developments have taken place.
“The recent opening of the renal unit at the Hospital is one such development. Further, I have been told that Mulungushi University is in partnership with Livingstone Central Hospital to start some programmes and for us this is a major achievement,” Mr Munsanje said.
On Wednesday, Dr Kasonde said the Government of Zambia through Ministry of Health was fully commited to eliminatinating Malaria in the country and the region.
Dr Kasonde said the elimination of malaria was in line with his Ministry’s vision of having a health and productive nation.
He said this in Livingston at Chrismar Hotel when is officially opened the Isdell Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative 4th annual roundtable meeting.
Dr Kasonde said Zambia over the past years had managed to reduce the national burden of Malaria through intensive scale up of key intenvertions.
On Tuesday night, Zambia and Livingstone in particular hosted the first ever Isdell-Flowers Cross Border initiative annual community awards launch.
The award are introduced to recognise efforts and innovations by communities in order to accelerate implementation of malaria control interventions and paving way for malaria elimination.
During the awards launch Zambia, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe were awarded for having the greatest percentage drop in malaria, greatest percentage drop in malaria death, community with highest retention of community volunteers,highest percentage of long lasting insecticide net usage and community with the best environment management.
