Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Zambia is facing a budget deficit of 100 million United States dollars for carrying out response programs aimed at eliminating malaria by 2021.
And Zambia records nearly 3.5 million cases of malaria each year despite significance progress made in reducing the number of malaria cases by 61 percent since 2001.
Speaking during the inaugural end malaria council meeting, health minister Dr. Chitalu chilufya disclosed that Zambia’s malaria response resource requirements are estimated at over us$694 million for the five year period of 2017-2021, but that there is a funding gap of 100 million United States dollars.
Dr. Chilufya says innovative financing to mobilise domestic resources is needed to close the existing funding gap for programmes aimed at eliminating malaria by 2021.
The minister has also noted the need for enhanced awareness and sensitization programs on the need to sleep under treated mosquito nets.
The establishment of the Zambia End Malaria Council was proposed by President Edgar Lungu to ensure that malaria elimination continues to be prioritized at the highest levels of the public and private sectors.
And it consists of Chief Mumena, Ministers of Defence, Finance, Tourism and Health, including private and public sector organizations such as ZRA, Trade kings, Kansai paints, and the Bank of Zambia among others.
And senior chief Mumena of the Kaonde speaking people in Solwezi district has backed calls for concerted efforts in the elimination of malaria by 2021.