Minister of Health, Elijah Muchima, has commended the World Bank for its investment in the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience Programme project in the region.
The US$1.5 billion project, which is being implemented in 10 countries, among them Angola, Rwanda, Burundi, Botswana, Mozambique and Zambia, is aimed at enhancing collaboration in health security.
Dr Muchima was speaking during the official opening of the Third Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting which aims at facilitating regional collaboration by addressing policy as well as cross border health security.
The high-level meeting has attracted representatives from participating countries, regional entities and development partners and is supported by the World Bank.
And Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Lishimpi, noted that resilience is essential for safeguarding the people.
Dr Lishimpi reiterated that the positives made thus far in coordinated regional action, reflects Zambia’s resolve to provide health care to all.
Earlier World Bank Lead Specialist and Acting Practice Manager, Ramesh Govindaraj, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting the participating countries in resolving their bottlenecks.
Dr Govindaraj, who thanked the Zambian government for hosting the meeting, underscored the need for coordinated regional action and disease surveillance.
He further said the meeting is a valuable opportunity for taking note of areas that must be expedited, noting that health emergencies can occur at any time hence the need to be prepared.
And IGAD Secretariat Director for Planning and Coordination, Anthony Awira, called for the scaling up of cross border coordination and local manufacturing.
Dr Awira said there is need to remain alert especially that there is free movement across borders.
Meanwhile, Eastern and Southern Africa Health Community Director General, Ntuli Kapologwe, called for enhanced health diplomacy saying health security is a regional concern.
Dr Kapologwe said diseases such as cholera and Covid-19, often put pressure on the countries hence the need for a heightened surveillance from participating countries.
