Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government spent a total of US$998, 375 in 2015 to send patients to India and South Africa for specialized treatment.
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde has told Parliament in a ministerial statement on the health institutions Modernization Program, that government in 2014 spent US$ 915,146 to send patients for treatment in South Africa while in 2015, 21 patients were sent for treatment at a total cost of US$290,438.
Dr. Kasonde says in 2014, government spent about US$1, 222, 163 to send patients to go to India for treatment while in 2015, 43 patients were sent to India at a cost of US$707,937.
He says it is for this reason that his ministry embarked on a program of modernization in order to provide modern and specialized services that are offered outside the country.
Dr. Kasonde says the program has focused on three main areas namely infrastructure, human resource development, and equipment, within the context of quality services.
The Health Minister further told parliament that the measures that government has taken will not only ensure that treatment abroad is significantly reduced, but will also promote medical tourism and research in Zambia.