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FILE: Copperbelt Minister, Bowman Lusambo unveiling medals given to deserving Police Officers during ‘Police Day’ at Kamfinsa School of Meintenance in Kitwe
President Edgar Lungu has donated two heads of cattle as a Christmas present to inmates at Kamfinsa correctional facility in Kitwe.
Announcing the donation to the inmates in Kitwe yesterday, Copperbelt Province Minister Bowman Lusambo said the donation was a demonstration of President Lungu’s care for everyone including prisoners.
Mr. Lusambo said President Lungu wants to change the face of correctional facilities in the country to ensure that inmates live in a clean and health environment.
And Mr. Lusambo has cautioned prisoners that have been pardoned by President Lungu on Christmas eve to live responsible lives as they get back into society.
Speaking when he witnessed the release of 10 prisoners at Kamfinsa correctional facility in Kitwe today, Mr. Lusambo urged the pardoned inmates to ensure that they contribute to the development of the country through the skills they acquired while at the correctional facility.
He was convinced that the pardoned inmates were changed people that will contribute positively in their communities and the country at large.
On this year’s Christmas eve, President Lungu pardoned 125 inmates countrywide.
Out of the 125, a total of 24 are from the Copperbelt province and 10 from Kamfinsa correctional facility in Kitwe.
And Mr. Lusambo is pleased with the infrastructure development projects going on at the correctional facility.
The projects include drilling of four boreholes, construction of four 1 by 2 dormitories and the expansion of the inmates clinic.
He commended the business communities that are funding the projects and urged others to do the same so that the correctional facility becomes a better place.
And speaking earlier, Zambia Correctional Facility Service Copperbelt Regional commander Wilson Mbewe said the Kamfinsa prisons management was in the process of acquiring land in Lufwanyama district for the construction of another correctional facility in a bid to decongest Kamfinsa.
Mr. Mbewe has meanwhile urged the pardoned inmates to reflect on their past lives and refrain from engaging in criminal acts in future.
Mr Amos Chanda
State House says it is a tragedy that Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili was made a Cabinet Minister in the first place.
Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda said Mr. Kambwili said should never have been made Minister because he lacks basic qualities of leadership.
Mr Chanda said in an interview that Mr Kambwili represents everything that is wrong about today’s politics.
He was responding to Mr Kambwili’s insistence that President Edgar Lungu should be made to pay back the money that Ministers and their Deputies earned during their illegal stay in office because they were working under his instruction.
Mr Kambwili also demanded to be paid the four months gratuity he accrued using the four months illegal extension in the office as Minister.
But Mr Chanda said Mt Kambwili is exhibiting the highest levels of hypocrisy and double standards over the issue.
He said Mr Kambwili insists that President Lungu pays back the money because he was in the office illegally but goes ahead and demands to be paid gratuity for illegal stay in office.
Mr Kambwili said Zambians should now know that they should never trust politicians like Mr. Kambwili.
“Zambians have now seen through his statements over this issue. He keeps changing goal posts, not long ago, he said he will not pay, now he is saying President Lungu must pay and now he is even demanding for gratuity. How does he expect to get gratuity for working illegally? That is hypocrisy and it a tragedy that he even became a Minister in this country,” Mr Chanda said.
First Lady Esther Lungu greets one of the patients at Mumbwa District Hospital where she donated hampers to Christmas Baby’sFirst Lady Esther Lungu greets nurses at Mumbwa District Hospital where she donated hampers to Christmas Baby’sFirst Lady Esther Lungu with Senior Chief Shakumbila during the hand over of 400 x 50 kg bags of fertilizer to women’s clubs in Shibuyunji DistrictFirst Lady Esther Lungu admires newly born twins at Mumbwa District Hospital where she donated hampers to Christmas Baby’sFirst Lady Esther Lungu greets Mumbwa District Council Chairperson Gracious Hamatala at Mumbwa District Hospital where she donated hampers to Christmas Baby’sFirst Lady Esther Lungu greets Mumbwa District residents on arrival at Nangoma Mission Hospital where she visited Baby’s born on Christmas DayFirst Lady Esther Lungu visits patients at Mumbwa District Hospital where she donated hampers to Christmas Baby’s in Central ProvinceFirst Lady Esther Lungu with Shakumbila District Women’s association Chairperson Brenda Kambole (L) during the hand over of 400 x 50 kg bags of fertilizer to women’s clubs in Shibuyunji DistrictFirst Lady Esther Lungu admires newly born Baby at Mumbwa District Hospital where she donated hampers to Christmas Baby’sFirst Lady Esther Lungu addresses mothers at Mumbwa District Hospital where she donated hampers to Christmas Baby’s
Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander Lieutenant General Eric Chimese has banned, the use of unlicensed drowns drones without certification from the Zambia aviation authority.
And Lieutenant General Chimese has also complained of the uncontrolled use of drowns drones in Zambia’s air space.
Speaking at the 2017 Zambia Air Force (ZAF) annual ball under the theme ‘repositioning the Zambia air force through innovation in support of Zambia’s vision 2030,’ lieutenant general Chimese says drowns have the potential to cause serious damage to aircraft.
Meanwhile ZAF Commander has described the year 2017 as successful in terms of fulfilling its mandate.
He says the air force has performed exceptionally well especially with support from the patriotic front government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu.
Lieutenant General Chimese has, however, called on the Road Development Agency (RDA) to make some improvements on some of ZAF’s run ways which are in dilapidated states, to prevent damages to aircrafts.
And speaking at the same event Defence Minister Davis Chama says he is working round the clock to create a conducive working environment for the defence force for it to systematically carry out its primary roles.
Mr. Chama says the PF government will continue improving the state of defence equipment for defence forces to adequately defend and protect the nation.
The minister who was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister Steven Kampyongo, Commerce Minister Margret Mwanakatwe and other senior government officials also urged the force to scale-up its civil-military relations with the society.
Have you ever lost somebody you felt you could have had the world together with but it didnt work out and some part of you will always acknowledge that it was true? Even when you have moved on you cant help but appreciate that you experienced that kind of connection with someone.”Amazing You Were” is about such a lost love and is a gift from Scott to his fans.
The song will appear on the forthcoming Mixtape “Strange Dreams”.The song is produced by independent zambian producer/artist JD Masio. “Amazing you were” is an EDM/Pop track with an upbeat urban vibe!
Levy Mwanawasa Hospital Director Physical planning Kakubelwa Mulalelo explains a point to Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya whilst Permanent Secretary Cabinet office Stephen Mwansa listens during the tour of expansion works Levy Mwanawasa HospitalThe National Health Training Institute being constructed at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital is expected to enroll the first intake of undergraduates in the first quarter of 2018.
Minister of Health, Chitalu Chilufya said the Institution which is expected to be completed in the next two to three months will add three thousand new academic spaces for both undergraduates and postgraduates respectively.
Dr. Chilufya said the Institution will bring about change in the human capital development in the health sector as various health sciences including medicine will be offered there.
The Minister stated that constructions works of the 170 million Kwacha project have reached 90 percent.
He said once complete, the country will also be able to conduct training of specialists which will increase from the current 200 countrywide to more than 500 by the year 2021.
Dr. Chilufya was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he visited the construction sites for the Institute and the upgrading of the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital.
The Minister stated that government is on track in ensuring a universal health coverage for the 16.2 million Zambians hence improving of health systems beginning with infrastructure, human capital and other variables.
He observed that the country needs to train human resource personnel in a robust manner so as to save people’s lives.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chilufya noted that Zambia’s central position and its democratic credentials qualify the country to be a center of excellence in the region where students from other countries are attracted to be trained in the country.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chilufya explained that the upgrading of Levy Mwanawasa Hospital into an 850 bed capacity will be part of the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital.
He noted that out of the Zambia-China relations, a US$90 million grant was given to Zambia adding that the funds were being used for the project.
The Minister said the new hospital structure will handle all other health cases while the old building will be turned into a specialized maternity annex.
Dr. Chilufya the works which have so far reached 30 percent, were impressive adding that the hospital will be equipped with modern equipment from the grant which will also include an endoscopy unit.
He said doctors and other workers to operate from the endoscopy unit are already being trained in China.
Copperbelt police commissioner Charity Katanga
The National Registration Card Office annex in Ndola has been burnt to ashes.
Both Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Elias Kamamga and Police Commissioner Charity Katanga confirmed the burning down of the office annex this afternoon.
Mr. Kamanga said almost all the documents that were kept in the annex have been burnt.
The PS said he was informed that the fire could have started in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Mr. Kamanga said that the incident is regrettable because the premise is manned by security officers who could have alerted the fire brigade on time.
He hoped there was no foul play involved and wondered why it took hours for the security guards to notice the fire.
And Mrs Katanga said Police has not yet established the extent of the damage but that investigations have been instituted.
She said the fire was put under control by the fire brigade by 15:30hrs yesterday.
First Lady Esther Lungu addresses mothers at Mumbwa District Hospital where she donated hampers to Christmas Baby’s in Central Province on December 25,2017 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
First Lady, Esther Lungu says she is saddened with the high numbers of teenage mothers being recorded in the country.
Mrs Lungu said it is not right for young girls to become mothers at the expense of education because the trend is retarding development.
She was speaking at Nangoma Mission Hospital yesterday where she also presented hampers to 14 babies who were born on Christmas day at the health institution.
Mrs Lungu advised the young mothers to go back to school after weaning their babies.
And Mumbwa Town Council Chairperson, Gracious Hamatala, said they have embarked on serious sensitisation programs against child marriages and teenage pregnancies to encourage girls to prioritize education in life.
Mr. Hamatala said the move was showing remarkable positive response although a lot needed to be done over the vice.
Earlier, Mumbwa Acting Medical Superintendent, Peter Simoonga, told the First Lady, Esther Lungu that the mission hospital was fully funded by government.
Dr. Hamatala however, said the health institution faces a few challenges including shortage of staff and equipment in some departments.
The First Lady later in the afternoon visited Mumbwa District Hospital and presented hampers to 16 new born babies recorded at the health institution between Christmas Eve and midday.
She also donated assorted foodstuffs to hospital management to supplement food rations for patients.
The foodstuffs included several bags of rice, bottles of cooking oil and biscuits among others.
And in receiving the donation, Mumbwa District Medical Superintendent, Vincent Mulenga thanked Mrs Lungu and her foundation trust for the donation.
Dr. Mulenga said the food donated will go a long way in supplementing food rations at the health institution.
He said patients were only being fed porridge for breakfast before the rice was donated to the hospital.
First Lady Esther Lungu addresses mothers at Mumbwa District Hospital where she donated hampers to Christmas Baby’s in Central Province on December 25,2017 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Pastor Peter Makembo wants Zambia to excel at next month’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco.
Chipolopolo will face Ivory Cost, Uganda and Namibia in the group stage.
Makembo has implored Chipolopolo to treat the CHAN competition seriously.
“This time we don’t want us (Zambia) to end in the quarterfinals or semi-finals. We want to go all the way to the final. As fans we need positive results,” he said.
Zambia were quarterfinalists at the last CHAN staged in Rwanda in 2016.
“We need to protect our country’s name. This is the only country we have as God is no longer creating nations or land,” Makembo said.
He added:”As fans will move to Morocco to support the boys with our machinery.”
Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe admiring baby Emmanuel Mwansa baby first born of Lusaka West barracks resident 22 years old Olipah Lungu (laying down) while looking on is UTH Principle Nursing Officer Beatrice Mundia.
Zambia has witnessed a number of Christmas babies today.
Luanshya district has recorded 4 Christmas babies who were born in the mining town’s three major health institutions. The babies who were born between 05:40hrs and 08:40hrs were delivered from Luanshya Mine Hospital, Roan General Hospital and Thomson General Hospital respectively.
Luanshya Mayor, Nathan Chanda congratulated the parents of the Christmas babies, and urged them to take good care of their children. Mr. Chanda said Christmas babies were special as they were born on a special day.
The Mayor donated baby hampers to the mothers of the Charismas babies and other parents nursing their sick children at the three hospitals.
He further urged the district health administration to be including babies born from other health posts in the outskirts of Luanshya not only in the main hospitals because he was the father to all children born on this special day.
After making his ceremonial annual donations to the Christmas babies, the Mayor went to attend a Special Christmas Church Service at St Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Kawama Township, which is situated on the outskirts of Luanshya Town.
And in Ndola, Ndola Teaching Hospital (NTH) has recorded six Christmas babies. NTH Senior Superintendent, Alex Makupe said the hospital recorded six Christmas babies who include five girls and one boy. Dr. Makupe said this when Ndola Mayor Amon Chisenga and the business community donated various items to mothers of the newly born babies.
Dr. Makupe commended the mayor and the business community for presenting the Christmas gifts to the newly born babies. He stated that the medical staff at the hospital is determined to render better services to the people adding that they are also encouraged by the support from the business community.
The Mayor commended the health personnel at the health institution for ensuring the safe delivery of the babies. Mr. Chisenga urged the business community in the city to render assistance to the hospital.
And in Mongu, Lewanika General Hospital in has recorded four Christmas babies born between 03:00hrs and 07:50hrs this morning. Acting Nurse in Charge, Clara Misikamwana disclosed that the hospital recorded the first female baby who was born at exactly 03:26 hours today and followed by a baby boy delivered at 06:10hrs.
Ms. Misikamwana said the other two babies who includ a boy and girl were born between 06:50hrs and 07:50 hours respectively. Presenting four baby hampers to the newly born babies, Mongu Mayor Kusiyo Akayambokwa thanked the hospital staff for ensuring that the Christmas babies were delivered successfully.
Mr. Akayambokwa who was accompanied by Council Town Clerk, Sheila Songolo encouraged the mothers of the four babies to raise them according to the biblical teachings.
He said it was part of the Council’s Corporate Social Responsibility to donate the Christmas gifts to each of the newly born babies at the hospital.
And receiving the baby hampers, Namatama Muleta who spoke on behalf of the other mothers thanked the local authority for the gifts.
And in Northern Province, Kasama General Hospital has today recorded 10 Christmas babies. The health institution has this year recorded one of the biggest numbers of Christmas babies from the recent past.
Kasama General Hospital Head of Clinical Care, Patrick Kalubi said the newly born babies include eight girls and two boys with the first child being born shortly after midnight.
Dr. Kalubi said all the expectant mothers had safe deliveries and were in good health.
Kasama Mayor Frederick Chisanga, who visited Kasama General Hospital in the company of two Ward Councilors Aaron Zimba and Peter Yuda has donated Christmas hampers to the newly born babies.
Mr. Chisanga has urged the new mothers to take care of their babies and ensure that they enjoy good health.
He further commended health personnel at the hospital for conducting safe deliveries and urged them to continue serving patients diligently.
Meanwhile, the new mothers have thanked the mayor and his entourage for the Christmas gifts given to all their babies.
Commerce Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe holding holding Clement Chikonde Lubahya jnr baby first born of Levy Mwanawasa Hospital junior doctor Ruth Chilwa born at 0937 with 3.9 Kg while looking are Heath Minister PS Dr Malama and UTH – Head Clinic Care Dr Mulindi Mwanahamuntu at Lusaka UTH Labour ward.
Dr. Aaron Mujajati Health Profession Council of Zambia (HPCZ) RegistrarHealth Profession Council of Zambia (HPCZ) has introduced Licentiate examinations for all health students who are under its regulation.
Dr. Aaron Mujajati Health Profession Council of Zambia (HPCZ) Registrar said the examinations are aimed at ensuring that only those who are well qualified should join the health profession.
In an interview with ZANIS, Dr. Mujajati explained that every student will have to undergo these examinations which will be prepared by the council before he or she is granted a practicing license.
The Registrar stated that the examinations will also help to address issues of examination malpractice by some students hence bringing sanity in the health profession.
He added that every student regardless of the college or university where they are trained from will be subjected to these examinations.
Dr. Mujajati further said those who will be failing the examinations will not be able to practice as health practitioners anywhere in the country.
He pointed out that the health profession is delicate as it deals with human life and it is cardinal that those people who are admitted to this profession are well qualified and capable of doing the work.
Zambia Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Eric Chimese addressing Zambia UN Mission diplomatic staff (not in picture) in New York on Wednesday 27 April, 2016. PHOTO | CHIBAULA D. SILWAMBA | ZAMBIA UN MISSIONZambia Air Force Commander General, Eric Chimese has urged defense forces to work hard and exhibit high levels of discipline.
Lieutenant General Chimese said military personnel should be professional, efficient and accountable at all times in order to uphold public confidence.
The Airforce Commander said this when he officiated at the Zambia Army officers’ Mess Majors and below annual ball held at Army headquarters last night.
Lt. Gen. Chimese also urged the defense force not to involve themselves in partisan politics as their role was to protect the Zambian constitution and being loyal to the government of the day.
He thanked the Army for their exemplary performance locally and internationally during the year 2017.
Lt. Gen. Chimese said it is encouraging that Zambian defense forces have continued to receive recognition from various stakeholders within the country and the international community for their hard work.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Chimese cautioned officers to be mindful of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and being faithful to their partners to avoid contracting the disease.
He also advised the officers to avoid engaging in gender based violence in their homes and resolve domestic issues through dialogue instead of resorting to violence.
A Clergymen in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province has called for peace and love among Zambians as they celebrate this year’s Christmas.
St John’s Catholic Church Parish Priest, Sefelino Chibesa said there is need for Zambians to reconcile genuinely in order to show love towards one another as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
He said this when he delivered his Christmas message during a mass on Christmas Eve.
Fr. Chibesa said Christmas brought the peace and joy that each Christian enjoys because of the birth of Jesus Christ.
He also encouraged Christians to give a message of hope to the many people afflicted by economic difficulties.
Meanwhile, about 50 people were baptized during yesterday’s mass at St John’s Parish in Chinsali district.
And Reverend Elijah Chisulo has called on residents in the area to unity and celebrate the festive season with joy.
Meanwhile, Pentecostal assemblies of God PAOG Reverend Benson Kangwa said faith is the key in the lives of Christians hence people should have faith in Jesus Christ all the time.
Sanjin Construction Engineering Group Company Limited workers busy working on the up grading of Levy Mwanawasa HospitalHealth Minister, Hon. Dr Chitalu Chilufya has announced that the Medical Training institute which is situated at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital and being constructed at a total cost of 170 Million Kwacha is expected to open its doors to student recruitment in the first quarter of 2018.
“We are building a 3000 capacity training institute. It is an annex of the upgraded Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital. So there are two key Projects happening here . The expansion of the hospital into a 850 bed capacity hospital and also the completion of the training annex. And the aggregate is what is called The Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital,” He said.
He stated that this would change the way human capital development in the health sector was being done because come first quarter of 2018, the first intakes of under graduates in various health sciences, including medicine would be enrolled.
“The total will be 3000 and some of them will be post graduate. So we are adding 3000 academic spaces for our under graduate and post graduates combined,” He said.
He stated that this was a game changer as training of specialists would now be conducted which would increase the number of speciaists from 200 countrywide to more than 500 by the year 2021.
“That is our strategic intent. Clearly stated in our National Health Strategic plan,” He said.
“So when we say the PF Government of His Excellency President Edgar Lungu has intentions and is firmly on track to ensuring universal health coverage for the 16. 2 Million Zambians, This is what we mean. We are fixing health systems begining with Infrastructure, Human Capital and the other variables. What you are seeing here is speaking to both infrastructure and human capital. We need the hands to deliver our women, to save our children and to provide a tertiary level care and we need to train this human resource in a robust manner,” He added.
He stated that Zambias centrality as a country and its democratic credentials also qualified it to be the centre of excellence for training in the hub.
“As we speak, we are attracting students from the region. And the complexion of our cancer diseases institute for instance, constitutes students from Mozambique, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Malawi, e.t.c. And we will continue with that trajectory in the coming year. So Zambia as a centrally located country, peaceful in nature with good democratic credentials, is slowly becoming a centre of excellence in training and we will train here, a whole range of specialists,”He said. Levy Mwanawasa Hospital Director Physical planning Kakubelwa Mulalelo speaking to journalists whilst Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya listens during the tour of expansion works Levy Mwanawasa Hospital
Meanwhile, Dr Chilufya has revealed that the faculty Staff were already available to work at the Medical training Institute in all the major disciplines.
” This we must remember. Earlier this year, President Lungu upgraded Levy Mwanawasa Hospital into a University Teaching Hospital. And this we have annexed to the university teaching hospital. We already have faculty staff. Our consultants are the ones that teach even in the university of Zambia School of Medicine. So we already have faculty staff in all the major disciplines and even faculty staff in the sub specialties. They are already ready, overly ready to start the academic programes.” He said
“And I must give you comfort, the teachers who teach in the school of medicine where we all trained are the same teachers who will continue teaching here. Some of them will be teaching as part of the Ministry of Health Professorial staff and some of them as university of Zambia staff. In the Health sector, we have this family, this fratenity of practitioners who we use to provide both professorial and clinical services and we dont have to start establishing or looking for lecturers. We already have faculty staff and we will only bring in more to expand the cources, ” He added.
Sanjin Construction Engineering Group Company Limited workers busy working on the up grading of Levy Mwanawasa Hospital
And Hon. Chilufya has stated that Equity has been embraced in the way the distribution of infrastructure was being done in the nation. When asked if Institutes such as the one at Levy Mwanawasa would be extended to other parts of the Country, the Minister said Universities were being built across the nation.
“We have been embracing the Principle of equity in the way we distribute development in this country. We have Universities being built in the northern part of this country. We have Robert Makasa University. We have Universities being built in North Western Province, Lewanika University is being built. We are expanding access to university services for Our Children. Because education is the bedrock and so we are planting these infrastructure for training in an equitable fashion, ” He said .
“Countrywide , you will find structures to support education either in the health sector and other sectors. So the facilities that you see in various parts of the Country, some of them will also be training health workers. Some of them will be networking with this facility and will operate as compasses were certain programs will be done. We have established a Zambia college of medicine and we have accredited a number of hospitals in the Country. Minimum of 17, that are now conducting training in those facilities. We dont have to send our doctors , Our Nurses to come and specialise in Lusaka or on the Copperbelt. They are training right there because the institutions have been licenced, accredited and we have accredited trainers there. We are also associated with the college of Health Sciences in Southern and East Africa. So we have international recognition already and we are also working closely with other international organisations of repute in the academic world to ensure that the standards are high. So, we have a network of institutions. A network of hospitals countrywide that are part of the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital and the Zambia college of Medicine and surgery. So training will be taking place there while the underwriting will be done centrally, ” Said the Minister said.
President Lungu has yesterday pardoned 125 prisoners to commemorate the 2017 CHRISTMAS DAY.
Three of the pardoned inmates are senior citizens aged between 65 and 86 years.
Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Dr Chileshe Mulenga in a statement stated that the President was acting accordance to Article 97 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Zambia which provides Presidential Pardon and substitution if severe punishments imposed on convicted persons.
Dr Mulenga said the ministry was elated with President Lungu’s gesture in exercising His Prerogative of Mercy as it has come at a time when the correctional facility are extremely congested.
He added that they were confident that the pardoned persons have rehabilitated and are ready to be re-intergrated into society.
