Government called to address health sector problems

Government called to address health sector problems

Lusaka, May 9, ZANIS — The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has called on government to quickly intervene and put measures in place to address the reported problems in the health sector.

Among the cited problems are the University Teaching Hospital’s (UTH) lack of pre nun milk, a supplement needed for the survival and growth of premature babies, the rationing of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs to HIV/AIDS patients due to short supply of the commodity at the ministry and low staffing levels and shortage of blankets at Kanyama clinic.

CSPR Information and Communication Programme Officer Diana Ngula says government should prioritise issues raised within the health sector to ensure that lives are not lost unnecessarily.

Ms Ngula said it was in the public health facilities where the majority of poor Zambians access health care.

In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Ms Ngula advised government to procure the ARVs in the right amounts to cater for all patients or risk having patients’ adversely affected through drug resistance when there is inconsistent uptake of the drugs.

She said it was sad to note that while on one hand government was able to mobilise resources for by-elections it is on the other hand failing to provide adequate funds to improve health service delivery.

Ms Ngula has since called for transparency and accountability in the health sector.

“We call for a higher level of transparency and accountability towards dealing with issues in the health sector by government and demand that priority be given to addressing operational issues at the highest health referral point,” she said.

“We want to see a higher demonstration of political will towards the health sector which is very cardinal for human development and ultimately national development, “added Ms Ngula.

Ms Ngula said if the health sector was not governed properly, the country risks reversing the progress said to have been scored in the reduction of child mortality rate under the Millennium Development Goals.