Lt Gen Mulenga calls SADC forces to be vigilant

He said there should be routine and emergency measures that could be implemented in times of peace or war.

Lieutenant General Mulenga said the military health services should be well-prepared to support the full range of military operations such as joint operations, peacekeeping and disaster responses.

He said this in Lusaka yesterday during the 13th SADC military health services annual conference for member States.

Lt Gen Mulenga said with the scarce financial and logistical resources, the military should ensure that resources for planned programmes were best utilised.

He said interaction with donors, coupled with the ability to deal with challenges on favourable terms, was important.

“We as SADC military health services need to engage with donors and share with them our programmes of action so that our priorities can be the focus of the engagement with our partners.

“We must, however, resist the temptations to focus on programmes that are donor-driven if they are not part of our priorities,” he said.

The SADC protocol on health compels member countries to review and formulate policies, strategies and programmes in selected areas so as to provide a framework for practical action, as well as the basis for regional cooperation.