LCC to regulate funeral parlours
By Staff Reporter
Lusaka City Council (LCC) has resolved to regulate funeral parlours in the city to bring normalcy to the sector.
LCC Public Relations Manager George Sichimba said following a tour of selected funeral parlours at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) by the health services committee recently it was revealed that most people engaging in this kind of business were not registered and had no business permits from the local authority.
“The council, through a special council meeting, also resolved that massage parlours which have mushroomed in the city be regulated by Council so that they operate according to the standards of the Public Health Act,” he said.
He said that massage parlours should be obtaining class B health permits and medical certificates for workers to avoid infectious diseases.
He said the meeting approved the recommendation by the Health Services Committee to introduce the issuance of Health Permits to Bars and Night clubs.
“The introduction of health permits in bars and night clubs would ensure compliance to hygiene standards and regulations in accordance with the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia. The resolution was made to correct the deteriorating health standards in the city, especially in bars and night clubs,” he said.
“The Council also reiterated its earlier resolve not to issue or renew liquor licences to home shops and bars in markets. The Council approved the introduction of Health Permits and Food Handlers’ Medical Certificates for Restaurants in markets in accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Act Cap 295 and the Food and Drugs Act Cap 303 of the Laws of Zambia.”
He noted that in the past, people operating restaurants in markets were treated like any other trader.
Meanwhile, he K188, 000 mortuary upgrading project at Mangango Mission Hospital in Kaoma district has reached an advanced stage, according to District Commissioner (DC), Kennedy Mubanga.
Mubanga said the 90 percent of thw work had been copleted while the remaining10 per cent include plumbing and painting of the ablution block and the mourners’ shelter.
Others are connection of power and fixing of the main gate to the mortuary.
Mubanga has since commended government for releasing funds to upgrade the mortuary which the people of Mangango were in dire need of.
Previously, Mangango Mission Hospital only had a room where bodies could only lay for a night before burial due to lack of mortuary facilities.
The new facility will have a capacity to accommodate six bodies.
