Japan gives Zambia cash for eradication of TB

JAPANESE government has given Zambia US$591,679 for a Tuberculosis (TB) eradication project.

The project, which will be implemented by Japanese Anti- Tuberculosis Association (JATA), commenced in March 2019 and will end in March 2022.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Administration, Dr Kennedy Malama said government remained committed to eradicating TB by 2030.

Dr. Malama said government was investing heavily in the country’s health sector, in order to attain universal health coverage.

The Permanently Secretary was speaking in Lusaka today when he officially launched the project for strengthening access to quality, integrated TB prevention management in high TB/HIV burden communities in Lusaka district.

He said that the JATA project was a clear testimony of how government, working with strategic partners, was investing to strengthen systems at community and primary health care level.

He noted that the project also resonates well with the overarching government’s agenda through the Ministry of Health, towards ending TB by 2030.

And the Japanese Charge D’affairs, Sugiura Toshio, noted that the new TB project aimed at strengthening the system for screening and treatment with a view to decreasing the number of TB victims.

He stated that the project would provide general expertise on TB screening and X-ray equipment, training of doctors and other medical experts.

Toshio said Japan intended to contribute to this process in cooperation with its private sector and hopes that it will contribute to promoting universal health coverage and creating resilient in the Zambia.

The TB project will be implemented in seven health facilities in Lusaka, namely Chazanga, N’gombe, Chipata, Chelstone, Mtendere, Kalingalinga and Kaunda Square.