Unscrupulous health workers esposed

GOVERNMENT has pledged adequate investment to Zambian academic institutions and research organisations that will engage in research for Covid-19 virus to adduce evidence.

Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya said the government was confident that Zambian researchers can help in finding answers to the pandemic that has affected the world in all spheres of life.

“The Zambian academia and research specialists have been challenged to engage in research for Covid-19 to adduce evidence. Government will provide the conducive environment for such research. This is the best way we will have answers to the unanswered questions.”

“Our academic institutions and research organisations are urged to respond to this challenge and Government will invest adequately to support this research,” he said.

Briefing Journalists in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Chilufya said Government was in talks with African Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and a group of

partners to ensure that Zambia participates in the vaccine trials.

Meanwhile, the minister said 162 new cases were recorded out of 1, 017 tests conducted bringing the cumulative number of cases to 8, 663 in the country.

He said 83 patients were admitted to the Levy Mwanawasa Covid-19 centre out of which 32 required oxygen support.

Dr Chilufya said five were in critical condition in the intensive care unit while 33 patients were admitted in various health facilities countrywide.

He said no death was recorded in the previous 24 hours with the death toll still at 246 while 246 patients were discharged bringing the accumulative total of recoveries to 7, 401.