MASEBO ASKS UN TO SUPPORT ZAMBIA IN TIME OF DROUGHT

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo has appealed to the United Nations (UN) for more support towards mitigating the effects of drought on the health sector.

Speaking when UN Assistant Secretary General, Climate Crisis Coordinator for El Niño/La Niña Response Reena Ghelani, and UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Etleva Kadilli called on her at her office in Lusaka, Masebo said Zambia anticipates huge negative impacts on health as a result of the current drought which has affected seven provinces in the country.

Masebo explains that because of the many anticipated consequences of the drought, the country has developed a multi-sectoral mitigation plan to deal with the drought and its social and economic impacts.

She says the plan has clear interventions and milestones that require the technical, financial, and material support of the UN to complement local efforts.

Masebo mentions some of the anticipated health-related challenges as Diarrheal Diseases due to shortage of water, Animal diseases, Respiratory Diseases due to dry conditions.

She says the other impact on Health is as a Result of Reduced Food that would lead to increase in social behaviours such as drugs and alcohol abuse hence causing diseases related to drugs abuse.

Masebo further mentioned other impacts as malnutrition due to Micronutrient deficiency, as well as Power disruptions that affect services of key hospital equipment such radiology and laboratory equipment.

And UN Assistant Secretary General, Climate Crisis Coordinator for El Niño/La Niña Response Reena Ghelani has congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema and Masebo for exhibiting exemplary leadership in fight against cholera and for providing the roadmap for mitigating the negative impact of climate change.

Ghelan says the UN will provide support in any way possible.

She says the Organisation is currently already providing technical support, and will be lobbying for financial and material support to help mitigate the negative impact of drought on health in Zambia.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Etleva Kadilli has commended Masebo for the remarkable leadership in bringing cholera under control.

Kadilli says it is an unfortunate that children are usually vulnerable to issues affecting health such as Covid 19, Cholera and now drought.

UNICEF remains very concerned with malnutrition in children as result of cholera and drought.

Kadilli says UNICEF is looking at ways of increasing support towards mitigating malnutrition in children resulting from the current drought.

Byta FM