Lusaka, Zambia, June 4, 2015 – President Edgar Lungu of Zambia has paid tribute to the World Health Organization (WHO) for its continued role in the country’s health sector. He made these remarks when Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, paid a courtesy call on him as part of her three day official visit to Zambia.

Welcoming Dr Moeti, President Lungu said: “We have worked very well with the UN agencies including WHO in the country and we would like to ask you to continue supporting the existing activities you have been collaborating with us. Additionally we would like to thank WHO for rendering exceptional support to the people of Zambia for the past 50 years.” President Lungu added that Zambia is ready to cooperate with the WHO in strengthening the country’s health system.

The Regional Director commended the government of Zambia for increasing investment in public health which has resulted in significant decrease in death and sickness especially among children and women. She noted that Zambia is one of the countries in the Region where the government had committed resources to equity in health service delivery, an approach in line with Universal Health Coverage.

“WHO reiterates its continued financial, technical and logistical support to the Zambian government in the area of health delivery in the same manner we have supported the country for the past 50 years”, said, Dr Moeti.

Dr Moeti also said that WHO appreciated Zambia’s expertise in communicable disease prevention and control, which would be instrumental in the planning and institutionalization of The African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (African CDC).  She said the recent West African Ebola epidemic reaffirmed the need for the AU and health partners to establish public health institutes to support African ministries of health to prevent, identify, and respond to any disease outbreak.

The Regional Director’s visit to Zambia is aimed at enhancing cooperation with the Government of Zambia and to discuss areas in which WHO could further support the country in its health development efforts. She will also participate in the launch of the first round of the 2015 Zambian Child Health Week, an initiative aimed at reaching children in the hard to reach areas and the underserved populations with an integrated package of life-saving interventions.

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For more information, please contact:

Dr Jacob Mufunda, mufundaj [at] who.int; Tel: +260 977 771 270

C. Boakye-Agyemang,  Boakyeagyemangc [at] who.int;  Tel +47-241-39420, | Cel: +242 06 614 2401

Zorodzai Machekanyanga, Machekanyangaz [at] who.int; Tel | +47 241 38104 | Cel: +263 772 511 610