President Edgar Lungu has assured the Saudi Fund Development that his government is committed to ensuring that the construction of the 800 bed capacity women and children hospital in Lusaka is effectively implemented.

The President has meanwhile called on the Saudi Fund Development to help in addressing Zambia’s challenges that have hindered the implementation of the project.

He said government was eager to see to it that the project commences.

Mr. Lungu said he is delighted with the coming of the delegation from the Saudi Arabia Fund Development adding that his government will ensure that they work together to implement the project.

He said this at State House today when a delegation from Saudi Arabia Fund Development paid a courtesy call on the First Lady, Esther Lungu.

And Mrs. Lungu noted that once constructed, the hospital will enhance health service delivery for women and children in the country.

She stated that despite significant progress having been made in the past decade to reduce maternal, neonatal and child mortality, deaths resulting from complications and infections are still unacceptably high.

She is optimist that the new specialist hospital will provide latest technology and create incentives for positive maternal, neonatal and child health results.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said government has prioritised maternal and child health hence it is making prudent investment in expanding services in the sector.

Dr. Chilufya said the construction of a specialised women and children hospital is a key investment that will also bring about improved capacity to train human resource in the health sector.

And Saudi Fund Managing Director Yousef Albassom said his country was pleased to invest in establishing a specialized women and children hospital in Zambia.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia has appointed Mr. Chomba Chella as Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

The appointment is with effect from Thursday 1st February, 2018.

Announcing the appointment, Commission Chairperson Justice Esau Chulu said the Commission had resolved to appoint Mr. Chella as Chief Electoral Officer during a Special Commission meeting held on Wednesday, 10th January 2018.

“Kindly accord him all the co-operation that he will require as he discharges his duties and join me in congratulating him for this achievement,” the Chairperson stated.

Before his appointment as CEO, Mr. Chella was Director – Electoral Operations.

He joined the Commission in 2012. Previously Mr. Chella worked as Executive Director at the Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue.

He also served as Coordinator for the Oasis Forum and Director for Habitat for Humanity, Zambia and Bostwana.

Before his latest appointment, Mr. Chella was Acting CEO.

He took over from Ms. Priscilla Isaac whose contract ended in August, 2017.

This is according to a statement issued by ECZ Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse.

Zambian artists unite for a musical statement to help in the fight against Cholera. The Magician produced musical piece is entitled “Isa Ubemo” featuring JK, DJ Cosmo, Kayombo, Wile, Kings Malembe, Ephraim, Leo Muntu, Dambisa, Mic Burner, Mainza, Taonga & Chali The Engineer.

Download the song HERE

 

BY KAPA187

Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe has called on all religious organizations in the province to ensure that they meet the set standards as they congregate.

Mr. Nundwe said in statement to ZANIS in Ndola yesterday that all religious meetings in the province should be reduced to less than two hours and ensure that all congregates leave the meeting place immediately.

Mr. Nundwe advised churches to meet other requirements such as providing soap for hand washing, clean up the surroundings, provide clean sanitary facilities, avoid handshakes and sensitize congregants on the epidemic.

He warned religious organizations who do not meet the set standards will have their religious facilities closed.

“All other gatherings should meet minimum Public Health Regulations and guidelines, further I urge all religious organizations in the province to co-operate,” Mr Nundwe said.

The PS said this is being done to ensure quick the control and elimination of the cholera epidemic and also to prevent the spread of cholera in the province.

Mr. Nundwe also called for strict enforcement of the Public Health Regulations and guidelines by health inspectors from ministries of health and local government.

Since the outbreak of the cholera epidemic Copperbelt province has recorded a total of seven cholera cases while at national level more than 2500 cases of Cholera have been recorded.

State House Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda has appealed to the Zambia Police and the Zambia Information Communication Technology (ZICTA) to put in place measures which will curb the cyber bullying and the issuing of fake news on digital media.

Mr. Chanda says the two institutions should conduct a thorough investigation and take decisive action in order to forestall the irresponsible and criminal behavior which has a real danger to disrupt public order.

The Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations has revealed that between the periods towards the 2016 general elections and now, a number of false statements were generated and issued under his name.

Mr. Chanda explains that despite the structural and professional deficiencies inherent in the forgeries, several individuals and businesses are nevertheless getting distressed and thrown into panic believing that the announcements are official bulletins from the State House Press Office.

He noted that cyber-bullying tactic by devious individuals is aimed at fostering lawlessness on a mass scale that is why the problem has gotten the attention of many governments who are taking steps to control it.

France is one of the countries which has put in place stringent laws as announced by the President to crack down the criminality, Mr. Chanda said.

Digital media space offers great promise as a democratic platform with limited possibility however it poses a great risk not just to human security and protection of public and private property but also threatens social cohesion by promoting hate speech and other illiberal values using the false comfort of the anonymity of the cyber space.

Mr. Chanda added that therein lies the existential threat against various facets because cyber bullying alters power relations in favour of the invisible enemy with unlimited power against a hapless target without any hope of redress at a personal level.

He has consequently called upon the Police and ZICTA to act decisively to forestall or eliminate all together the rampaging criminal behavior.

Mr. Chanda said the phenomenon of fake news and cyber bullying must be taken seriously by all stakeholders because in other jurisdictions these have led to such unfortunate incidents as suicide among vulnerable targets especially young people and women.

He further added that he believes legislation exists for the Police and ZICTA to be able to control the hideous crime.

The Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations said this in a letter to Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja and made available to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday.