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———-Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Chileshe Mulenga, has urged government departments and stakeholders to take issues of preparedness, control and management of epidemics seriously.
Dr. Mulenga said managing epidemics when they occurred was not just
costly but disruptive to the provision of social services in
communities.
He said no sector was spared when epidemics occurred, hence the need
for continued collaboration and multi-sectoral approach in preventing
the occurrence of any disease condition at any cost.
Dr. Mulenga said this in a speech read for him by Assistant
Secretary, Beenzu Chikuba, during the Provincial Epidemic
Preparedness, Prevention, Control and Management meeting held at
Luangwa house in Chipata today.
He said Eastern Province remained prone to hazards which led to
disasters such as epidemics, floods, drought, bush fires, cross border
conflicts among others.
Dr. Mulenga also said malaria was still a major problem in the region
which was the third highest malaria incident from North Western and
Luapula provinces.
He said Eastern Province stood at 540 per 1000 population while North
Western and Luapula provinces stood at 864 and 702 per 1000 population
respectively.
‘’ In addition to the 1, 021, 359 Insectcide Treated Nets (ITNs), the
province has received another consignment of 90,000 for the prevention
of malaria in pregnant mothers and under five children in Chadiza,
Katete, Lundazi, Mambwe and Nyimba districts,’’ Dr. Mulenga said.
He urged stakeholders to ensure promotional of personal and community
hygiene to prevent diarrhoeal diseases in the province.
Dr. Mulenga said there was need for more information, education and
communication activities in communities to facilitate positive
behavioral change.
