The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged continued support towards the fight against Tuberculosis, maternal child health, HIV/AIDS among other diseases.
USAID COVID-19 Task force Executive Director, Jeremy Konyndyk acknowledged the need to support the fight against the said ailments simultaneously with COVID -19.
Mr. Konyndyk said in Ndola today after inspecting some COVID- 19 vaccination centers that fighting disease will reduce the pressure health authorities’ face in managing COVID- 19 patients with other chronic illnesses.
“It’s really important that we are fighting all these things at once. If people with other chronic diseases get COVID-19 their bodies become weak and this makes it hard to fight COVID-19 easily,” he said.
He said the agency will continue providing a comprehensive range of health support to the people of Zambia aside the COVID -19 pandemic.
And Presidential Advisor on COVID-19, Roma Chilengi implored health authorities to ensure the vaccines are not stockpiled in the fridges but rather injected in people’s bodies.
Professor Chilengi assured that government has made sure that the supply side of vaccines is sustained.
Professor Chilengi said that government has also made necessary arrangements to ensure the momentum in the supply of vaccines is maintained.
He warned of the anticipated fifth wave as the country enters winter season and that people should troop to the various vaccination centres and protect their lives.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Augustine Kasongo commended USAID for the continued support to the Ministry of Health.