FRANCE has donated medical equipment and supplies worth K3 million to the Ministry of Health. French Ambassador to Zambia Sylvain Berger said Zambia needs reliable hospital equipment and medical supplies, especially in the wake of coronavirus. Mr Berger said this at his residence on Thursday when he presented the donation to Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya. France is happy with Government’s commitment to develop the health sector.

“The government of France is donating medical equipment and supplies worth Euro 147,000 which is equivalent to K3,000,000 to complement efforts by the Zambian government, especially during this period that the country is fighting coronavirus,” Mr Berger said. The ambassador said the medical equipment, which includes medicines and hospital beds, has been supplied by Mission Pharma. Mr Berger said France will continue to support efforts aimed at delivering quality health services.

“I would like to urge all French citizens resident in Zambia to adhere to measures by the Ministry of Health to help contain the spread of the virus,” Mr Berger said. And Dr Chilufya said Government values partnerships in achieving universal primary health care. Dr Chilufya cited the need for continuous medical supplies if Government is to achieve universal health coverage. “As we combat coronavirus, we need to ensure commodity security in our health facilities is guaranteed.

We want to commend the French government for giving us medical supplies at a critical time like this,” Dr Chilufya said. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health will start using rapid testing kits for coronavirus to increase the number of people being detected for the disease. Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Kennedy Malama adds that another testing centre will be opened in Ndola on Monday to cater for the northern region. Dr Malama said this when he featured on Hot FM’s breakfast show yesterday.

“For the testing kits we are using now, it takes up to 12 hours for the results to be ready. “For the treatment we are giving those with coronavirus, it is supportive therapy or symptomatic treatment depending on the symptoms the patient is showing,” Dr Malama said. Zambia has tested 1,344 people for coronavirus and 40 have come out positive. The permanent secretary said another testing centre will be opened in Ndola on Monday to cater for the northern region. Dr Malala dismissed reports suggesting that the Ministry of Health is concealing actual figures of people infected by the disease.