Advertisement Banner
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Subscribe
Advertisement Banner
Home Blog Page 4310

Zambia records massive reduction in HIV infection – UN report

editor
-
31

A UN report has revealed that Zambia has drastically reduced new HIV infections by 58 per cent and achieved more than 80 per cent HIV treatment.

This is contained in a media statement released to the media by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations for Zambia at the United Nations, Mr Chibaula Silwamba.

According to UNAIDS’ World AIDS Day report for 2012 titled: RESULTS, Zambia was among countries in the world that had made immense progress in combating HIV/Aids.

“This year, Zambia has put a massive injection of funds into its health budget, increasing it by 45 per cent,” said UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

The report most countries in sub-saharan Africa – the region with the highest HIV prevalence rate – had made significant gains in averting deaths related to AIDS.

The UN agency stated that between 2001 and 2011, the rate of new HIV infections dropped by 73 per cent in Malawi, while in Botswana by 71 percent, in Namibia by 68 per cent, in Zambia by 58 per cent and in Zimbabwe by 50 per cent.

South Africa, the country with the largest number of HIV infections, reduced new HIV infections by 41 per cent, according to UNAIDS while in Swaziland, which has the highest HIV prevalence in the world, new HIV infections dropped by 37 per cent.

The report stated that Botswana cut AIDS-related deaths by 71 per cent, Rwanda by 68 per cent, Namibia by 60 per cent, Zambia by 56 per cent and Burundi and Côte d’Ivoire by 51 per cent while Benin, Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Guniea, Lesotho, Malawi and Mali all reduced AIDS related deaths by one third.

In Zambia, Burundi, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Togo, the number of children newly infected fell by between 40 per cent and 59 per cent from 2009 to 2011.

Impressive gains were also made in cutting deaths from Tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV, according to the UNIADS report.

“India, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe accounted for two thirds of all new people with HIV/TB co-infection being treated, but much more needs to be done. No-one should die of TB and HIV,” UNAIDS stated.

In sub-Saharan Africa, a record 2.3 million people were added to antiretroviral treatment programmes in the last two years – an increase of 59 per cent.

According to the UNAIDS report, upwards of 100 000 people living with HIV were enrolled in HIV treatment in Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia each.

“Five countries in the region have achieved more coverage of HIV treatment—Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Swaziland and Zambia,” the UNAIDS report stated. “Sexual behaviour among men and women has changed to become safer in numerous countries with generalized epidemics including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria and Zambia.”

However, UNAIDS noted the “worrisome increases in AIDS-related mortality were observed in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (21 per cent) and the middle East and North Africa (17 per cent).”

At least 50 per cent of people living with HIV do not know their status, according to UNAIDS.

The report stated that more resources would be required to fight HIV and reach the zero-infection target.

Lusaka PF Councilor detained in Ethiopia after incurring a $ 2 000 beer bill

editor
-
77
LUSAKA Mayor, Daniel Chisenga
LUSAKA Mayor, Daniel Chisenga

Thirst for intoxicating liquor has landed a Patriotic Front-PF Lusaka Councilor who has been detained by Ethiopian security officials for allegedly incurring a bill of US $ 2000 dollars, about Ten Million Kwacha, in unpaid for beer at a named hotel.

Councilor Chikutalo Nkhoma of Lusaka’s Silwiza ward in Northmead area is said to have gone to that country with other council officials where he incurred the bill to quench his thirst.

Upon checking out, other council officials left Mr. Nkhoma in the hands of the security personnel as they could not pay the accumulated bill.

And Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga has expressed disappointment over the development describing the incident as embarrassing to the nation.

Mr. Chisenga further said that Mr. Nkhoma will face disciplinary action as soon as he is released by the Ethiopian officials.

MUVITV

Water Crisis hits Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital

editor
-
24
Medical personnel at the opening ceremony of Lusaka General Hospital
Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital

Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital in Lusaka has been hit by erratic water supply.

This comes barely five days after Republican President Michael Sata stormed University Teaching Hospital-UTH- following a critical water shortage there.

Some patients at the institution say life is hard as water has become scarce.

The water shortage has since left most toilets in a pathetic state as the human waste could be noticed.

Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital Public Relations officer, Mwenya Mulenga, has confirmed that the institute has been experiencing some erratic water supply.

MUVI TV

Zambia Nominated for CAF Team of the Year Award

sports
-
18

Chipolopolo has been nominated for the 2012 Caf National Team of the Year Award.

According to a statement released by Caf on Tuesday, the African champions will be confronted by Ivory Coast, Cape Verde and Central Africa Republic for the National Team of the Year Award.

Caf will announce the winners at this year’s GLO-CAF Awards set for December 20 in the Ghanian capital Accra.

Earlier in the year, Zambia beat Ivory Coast on penalties to win the 2012 Africa Cup co-staged by Gabon and Equatorial.

The Chipolopolo duo of Rainford Kalaba and Stophila Sunzu is still in the race for the 2012  Caf Player of the Year (based in Africa).

Caf has been announcing nominees for various categories ahead of the GLO-CAF award in piecemeal

Reynold Kampamba Heads To Switzerland

sports
-
10

LT Sports understands that Nkana striker Reynold “Sate Sate” Kampamba is on the verge of clinching a deal with Swiss side Young Boys.

Kampamba, who finished as top scorer in the 2012 season with 15 goals, on Monday night flew to Switzerland to attend trials at Young Boys.

The youngster confirmed his departure to Switzerland on his facebook page without elaborating more.

Sources close to Kampamba say the player is on the blink of signing for Young Boys for a reported fee of about $ 70 000.
But Nkana have remained mute on the development.

“I am completely blank, I don’t know anything thing let me get back to the office,” said Nkana secretary Ken Mwansa.

Fans Petition CAF After Chris Katongo Award Snub

sports
-
36

The Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association and the Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association have petitioned Caf over the omission of Zambia captain Chris Katongo from the 5-man short-list for the Africa footballer of the year 2012 award.

On Friday Caf announced that Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Alexander Song, Dede Ayew and Demba Ba would compete for the prestigious CAF African Football of the Year Award leaving out Christopher Katongo.

The two soccer fans groups presented their petition to Caf through Faz on Tuesday morning.

Faz general secretary George Kasengele received the petition at Football House in Lusaka and promised to forward it to Caf.

Speaking after presenting the petition, Chipolopolo Soccer Fan Association Chairperson Yotam Mwanza questioned the criteria CAF used when short listing the final five nominees for the 2012 Africa footballer of the year award.

Mwanza said some players who are among the five nominees do not deserve to be there.

“What did Alexander Song and Demba Ba achieve for them to be included on the 5-man short-list for the Africa footballer of the year 2012 award?” Mwanza said.

 

Southern Province Chiefs demand position on the re-alignment of Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi

editor
-
28

A meeting of Southern Province chiefs convened in Choma today failed to get underway after the chiefs objected to proceed with the agenda of the meeting unless they were told the current government position on the re-alignment of Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi districts.

The Southern Province Chiefs’ Council meeting held at Mahogany Bush Lodge in Choma also refused to elect three representatives to the House of Chiefs, forcing the meeting to close abruptly.

The chiefs told Southern Province deputy permanent secretary, Alfred Chiingi, and Provincial Local Government Officer, Alex Bwalya, that there is no way they were going to elect representatives to the House of Chiefs before knowing government’s position on the realignment of the two districts.

The chiefs argued that the absence of fellow chiefs from Itezhi Tezhi and Chirundu districts had raised their suspicion that government had gone ahead to re-align the two districts to Central and Lusaka Provinces respectively.

They clarified that they were not being political but only trying to give government time to respond to the resolutions made during their last meeting in which they appealed to government not to re-align the two districts.

But speaking earlier when he opened the meeting, Southern Province Deputy permanent Secretary, Alfred Chiingi, said chiefs needed to elect representatives who could be able to contribute adequately to the deliberations of the House of Chiefs.

Mr Chiingi said the Patriotic Front (PF) government is determined to ensure that traditional leaders participate in the local economic activities as well as governance through the implementation of decentralization policy.

ZANIS

Statehouse statement on the allocation of K1.5 billion to the office of the First Lady

editor
-
120
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba
First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba

STATE HOUSE is dismayed by some unfounded and unjustified concerns being raised over the allocation of the sum of one billion, five hundred million kwacha (1,500,000,000.00) to the office of the First Lady and therefore wishes to provide the following clarifications.

If the various stakeholders expressing concern had genuinely wished to understand the actions of the Government, they could have sought clarification from the Government and been accordingly advised that the reference to the office of the First Lady is merely for transparency and as a departure from the old culture of Government incurring illegal expenditure on this office.

The activities and items funded under the estimates of revenue and expenditure, commonly referred to as the yellow book are based on the offices and activities permitted by the constitution using revenues of the republic from the consolidated fund. The application of activity based budgeting in Zambia has existed for several years now.

In the budget estimates for 2013, the Government decided that it was necessary to provide further explanation for the activities falling under the Office of the President as they relate to the activities of the First Lady. Thus, there is nothing illegitimate with this process given that the Government and State House in particular has upheld the tenets and principles of good governance.

Note that through this method, the Patriotic Front Government is being accountable and transparent in accordance with the promises it made to the people through its manifesto. In addition, it is a legal requirement that at the end of the year the expenditure to the office of the First Lady will be subject to an audit by the office of the Auditor General. It is not our desire or intention to spend unbudgeted for funds. And on that basis, State House deserves commendation and not vilification and wanton condemnation as shown by certain stakeholders.

You may wish to note that these funds are used for the payment of security staff, transportation and other logistics that are necessary for the effective operation of the First Lady in undertaking assignments that are of a formal nature on behalf of His Excellency, Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia and the state in general.

Further, there is no specific reference in the estimates of revenue and expenditure to the office of the First Lady as there is no such office constitutionally established except by convention, which has evolved over time. In any case, if there had been anything illegal about this expenditure, parliament certainly reserved every right when considering the budget not to pass this particular vote.

Issued by:
GEORGE CHELLAH
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Corruption deep rooted in public service – Scott

editor
-
41
Vice President Guy Scott
Vice President Guy Scott

Vice President Guy Scott says government through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Public Private partnership is in the process of setting up an industrial development Commission.

Dr. Scott says the industrial development commission will be response for upgrading the industrial structures for increased economic growth.

He has added that the government has realized that the country has a backlog of development arrears and that it is for this reason that government is relentlessly trying to implement programmes aimed at creating jobs so as to reduce the poverty levels.

Dr. Scott was speaking when he officiated on behalf of President Michael Sata at the Zambia International Business Advisory Council (ZIBAC) meeting in Lusaka today.

And Dr. Scott says President Sata will give the Bank of Zambia and the ministry of Finance a limited timeframe to reduce the interest rates stating that high interest rates continue to hinder economic growth.

Dr. Scott further added that in the last one year that the PF has been in government, it has learnt that resource misdirection has been high due to deep rooted corruption in the public sector.

The Vice President however indicated that the PF government will continue to implement measures aimed eradicating graft in the country.

QFM

Mongu residents question the rationale of putting TV licence fee on their ZESCO bill

editor
-
31
File: A ZNBC outside broadcast van

Mongu residents have questioned the rationale of making them pay compulsory TV licence when some of them do not own TV sets despite having electricity in their homes

A Mulambwa resident, Amukusana Aongola, complained to ZANIS in an interview that it is not fair for Zambia National Broadcast Corporation (ZNBC) to make it compulsory for everyone to pay TV levy as long as one is on Zesco prepaid metering whether one owns a television set or not.

Mr Aongola complained that, ever since Zesco installed a prepaid meter in his house, ZNBC keeps on charging him TV levy despite him having no television set in his house.

He charged that when people live in an electrified house it does not mean that they automatically own TV sets.

Mr Aongola lamented that living in an electrified house is one thing and owning a TV set is another.

He appealed to ZNBC to use other means of collecting their TV levy rather than making it mandatory for everyone on Zesco pre-paid meters, adding that those who do not have TV sets but are levied feel sobbed.

But ZNBC Senior Maintenance Engineer for Mongu sub-station, Lombe Panda, appealed to all aggrieved clients to go to his office and prove to him that they are paying TV levy without owning TV sets.

Mr Panda said if such claims are genuine, his office would refund affected clients.

He said ZNBC has no intensions to steal from anybody, saying the money realized is just a contribution for ZNBC’s efficient programming.

Mr Panda added that TV license is law and whoever owns a television set must pay the levy.

‘’People are not paying for watching but for owning TV sets,’’ Said Mr Panda.

ZANIS

Serenje farmers finally paid

editor
-
13
File Peasant farmers

Government has sourced K8 billion to pay Serenje farmers who yesterday protested against the delay to pay them money for the maize they sold to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

Serenje District Commissioner (DC), Charles Mwelwa, confirmed to ZANIS in Kabwe today, saying the farmers have started getting their money today.

Mr Mwelwa said government owed Serenje farmers a balance of K8.2 billion, adding that the remaining K200 million will soon be found to clear all the farmers owed for their maize.

Mr Mwelwa appealed to farmers who will not be paid from the K8 billion to remain calm, saying government was determined to clear all the farmers by paying them their money.

He explained that several farmers yesterday protested and in the process damanged his vehicle by stoning it in anger about the delay to be paid.

Mrs Susan Chileshe, a farmer, complained that the delay to pay them their money affected them a lot because they could not prepare adequately for this season.

Mrs Chileshe further complained of alleged corruption, saying farmers who delivered earlier their maize were left out and only those who delivered later were being paid.

ZANIS

NGO Finance Manager arrested for misappropriating K800 million

editor
-
41

The Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested a Finance Manager of World Vision for money laundering activities involving over K800 million.

Samson Mpundu, 33, an Accountant  in  Lusaka, whilst being employed as Finance Manager by World Vision Zambia, made fraudulent transfers to his personal account and to various vendors where he purchased a Toyota Hilux Double Cab and a Nissan Sunny. He also purchased musical equipment from South Africa using World Vision funds. The total amount he stole between 1st January, 2012 and 31st September, 2012 is K822, 207,869.80.

He has since been charged with theft by servant contrary to section 278 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia and money laundering contrary to section 7 of Act 14 if 2001.

The suspect is on Police Bond and will appear in court soon.

Meanwhile, the Commission in Mpika has arrested two (02) people for trafficking in miraa.

Those arrested include Esther Chanda, 20, of Ntindi village in Nakonde for trafficking in 56 bundles of miraa concealed in 2 suitcases and Mathews Musonda, 29, of Chozi village in Nakonde for trafficking in 53 bundles of miraa also concealed in 2 suitcases. The two were separately arrested on Kitwe bound buses in Mpika.

The suspects are in custody and will appear in court soon.

PF in Southern Province wants complete overhaul of FRA management

editor
-
8

The Patriotic Front (PF) party in Southern Province has called for the complete overhaul of Food Reserve Agency management on allegations that it has failed to perform to people’s expectations.

Southern Province PF provincial Youth Secretary, Fred Kanela, said the party in the province is not pleased with the operations of the FRA towards handling and addressing the affairs of farmers that had supplied their maize to the agency.

Mr Kanela requested Health Minister, Joseph Kasonde, who was in Mazabuka district yesterday to launch the newly upgraded Mazabuka Sugar clinic into a hospital that there is need for President Michael Sata to reshuffle management at the FRA come next year.

He charged that as a party in the province, they are against the style of work that the current crop of FRA officials are exhibiting which has led to farmers failing to get their money despite government releasing it on time.

He said the party is concerned and touched with the hardships farmers in the area have been subjected to just for them to get their money, a situation he described as unfortunate.

Mr Kanela told Dr Kasonde, who paid a courtesy call on Mazabuka District Commissioner, Eugene Munyama at his office this morning, that farmers in the area have not been treated properly by FRA officials who have failed to conduct their business in a proper and transparent manner.

He said farmers have in most cases been made to travel long distances from their villages with the assurance from the FRA that they would find their money in the bank but to the contrary the banks would inform them that the money was not there.

Mr Kanela charged that if allowed to continue, farmers in the entire province, who are also voters, will lose confidence in the party, a thing they said as officials of the PF party they will not condone.

And the District Commissioner, Eugene Munyama echoed the sentiments made by the party official, saying the operations of FRA in Mazabuka district at the moment are a thorn in the flesh.

Mr Munyama said at the moment is office is spending more time addressing various grievances from farmers who go to his office to seek his interventions.

He said the current operations of FRA are a let down to the government which he said sourced enough money to pay the farmers on time.

And Dr Kasonde assured that he will address the issue of FRA with his counterpart at the Ministry of Agriculture, Emmanuel Chenda.

ZANIS

DNA results exonerates Kitwe Central Hospital

editor
-
57
Kitwe Central Hospital
Kitwe Central Hospital

DNA results of a Kitwe baby boy allegedly swapped for a girl have confirmed that Annah Mwanza, who raised the complaint, is the biological mother of the baby girl.

This is in a running disputed maternity case where a Kitwe couple, Annah and Geston Mwanza claimed that their baby boy was swapped for a girl at Kitwe Central Hospital (KCH) in October, this year.

Ms Mwanza of Buchi Township had maintained that she delivered a baby boy at Buchi Health Centre before she was moved to KCH due to power failure and that she later discovered that she was given a baby girl.

The matter raised controversy and public attention, prompting KCH to take samples to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka and later to South Africa for tests.

The DNA tests were carried out by the National Health Laboratory Service of South Africa and released in Kitwe yesterday.

Police officers yesterday announced the DNA results to the couple and in the presence of KCH management officials which indicated that the baby girl actually belonged to the couple.

Riverside Police Station criminal investigations officer (CID), Ephraim Kosamu said the combined maternity index, calculated from the data obtained on all the systems was 2152.8882 and that this meant that Ms Mwanza was approximately 2153 times more likely to be the biological mother of the baby, than a woman chosen at random.

“Using the Bayesian method of calculating probabilities and accepting a prior probability of 0.5, the probability that Annah Mweshi Mwanza is the biological mother of Ronica Mwanza, is 99.9536 per cent,” the DNA interpretation results indicated.

Zambia National Blood Transfusion Service (ZNBTS) Director, Joseph Mulenga also confirmed the DNA results, which were expected to rest the maternity dispute.

And speaking on behalf of the couple, Newstead Mwanza expressed happiness that the results had put the case to rest.

Mr Mwanza, who is Geston’s uncle, commended medical personnel for the speedy release of the DNA results.
“We cannot show how happy we are with the results. A lot of questions have been answered and we have to sit down to find out the error and rectify it,” he said.

KCH Senior Medical Superintendent, John Mwewa thanked the police for handling the case in a transparent manner.

The couple and KCH senior staff later held a closed door meeting.

This was the second case of suspected baby swapping reported after the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka recorded a similar incident.

Rise in Chieftaincy wrangles due to PF’s 100% subsidy increase for traditional leaders

editor
-
13
Chairperson for the House of Chiefs Chief Madzimawe practicing photography on his i-pad device during the Chakwela Makumbi traditional ceremony
FILE: Chairperson for the House of Chiefs Chief Madzimawe practicing photography on his i-pad device during the Chakwela Makumbi traditional ceremony

A senior royal traditionalist in Nyimba district in Eastern province has observed that the love of money was one of the root causes of tribal conflicts in chiefdoms.

Euriah Daka, who is Mbumba (royal sister) to senior chief Kalindawalo of the Nsenga speaking people in Nyimba, observed that most wrangles between chiefs erupted soon after the Patriotic Front government increased traditional leaders’ subsidies by over 100 percent.

Ms. Daka alleged that the Kalindawalo chieftaincy has been facing wrangles because of the love of money.

She expressed concern that people’s love for money was threatening the peace of the Nsenga people.

“One of the major root causes of tribal conflicts is the love of money. When President Sata increased subsidies for chiefs, we saw the mushrooming of chiefs who are not duly put to the throne not only here in Nyimba district but other parts of the country,” she said.

Ms. Daka said this in Nyimba during a consultative meeting for traditional leaders and senior government officials.

Government, through the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs organized a two-day consultative meeting to resolve the impasse surrounding the Kalindawalo chieftainship.

A total of 10 chiefs are attending the meeting.

These are senior chiefs Luembe, Nyampande, Mburuma and chiefs Mumbi, Nsandwe and Nyalungwe.

Others are the three chieftainesses Mwanjabantu, Mwape and Nyanje.

The meeting has also attracted senior government officials and defense personnel.

Recently, President Michael Sata revoked the appointment of Everson Mumba as chief Kalindawalo.

President Sata subsequently directed Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Nkandu Luo to convene a meeting with the Nsenga chiefs and resolve the matter and present a comprehensive report to him.

Meanwhile, the Nsenga chiefs have unanimously vowed not to recognise Mr. Mumba as chief because he has allegedly aligned himself to the Chewa tradition.

Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo assured the traditional leaders that that government would study and resolve differences among Nsenga chiefs.

Professor Luo commended the chiefs for resolving the matter in an amicable manner without degrading themselves.

She said chiefs were government partners in national development.

ZANIS

1...4,3094,3104,311...5,648Page 4,310 of 5,648

Company

Trending

Categories

© Lusaka Times