Zambia, Japan seal TB project deal

ZAMBIA has partnered with Japan in a three-year project for an integrated TB prevention and management in high TB/HIV burden community in Lusaka, and K7million has been earmarked for the first year of the scheme.

The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Project to Strengthen Access to Quality Integrated TB Prevention and Management in High TB/HIV Burden Community in Lusaka was signed in Lusaka yesterday.

Japanese ambassador to Zambia Hidenobu Sobashima said he was happy to represent Japan at the signing ceremony of the project.

“This project aims to strengthen the diagnostic and treatment systems for TB patients including those of co-infection of TB and HIV/AIDS in Lusaka district. The Phase One activities include the training of such medical personnel as nurses, X-ray technicians, and laboratory medical technologists and TB Treatment Supporters, as well as the sensitization activities for the communities”, Mr Sobashima said.

Mr Sobashima said TICAD VI that was the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development, held in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2016, attached importance to promote resilient health systems for quality of life, to achieve universal health coverage, and create “Resilient Africa”, among other priority issues.

He said when President Lungu visited Japan in December last year at the invitation Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the two leaders reconfirmed the importance of achieving universal health coverage in Zambia.