— Govt allocates K4.23 billion to the health sector this year

Government has reiterated its commitment for  increased funding in the health sector.

Community Development Mother and Child Health minister Emerine Kabanshi says government has for this reason allocated a sum of K4.23 billion to the health sector this year for implementing various health service programmes.

 

Ms Kabanshi said the cash released so far represents nine point nine percent of the total National Budget.

The minister said this in Lusaka today during the Global Fund Application for HIV/TB and malaria stake holders meeting.

Ms Kabanshi also revealed that government had applied to the Global fund for new funding in order to re-enforce the gains the country has made in health reforms so far.

 

She said that recent meeting between government officials and Global Fund officials sought to bring in a further investment of over $184 into Zambia to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

The minister noted that the funding and technical support Zambia has revived from Global fund, presidential Malaria Initiative ,local treasury and other partners since inception has contributed to over 600,000 people currently receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART ) with 45,000 being children.

She revealed that the survival rate of children on treatment after one year is now at 80% where as previously half of them would die before their second birthday.

Meanwhile, Ms Kabanshi disclosed that 3.8million mosquito nets have been distributed country wide with 5.2million people being treated for malaria in 2013.

 

She added that close to 70,000 patients have been treated for active (smear positive) TB alone since the engagement with the Global Fund.

Ms Kabanshi has since called on all stake holders and the technical personnel team which will work with the Global Fund Secretariat to help build and strengthen the health system in the country and embrace those who render support.