State adopts Covid-19 vaccine plan - Chanda
GOVERNMENT has in principle agreed to adopt a Covid-19 vaccine programme aimed at mitigating the health and social-economic impact of the pandemic on citizens.
Health Minister Dr Jonas Chanda said the vaccination will be done in a cautious manner and on a voluntary basis.
He said Government through the Ministry of Health has already started processing the logistical supplies in preparation for the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
He said cabinet will soon guide on the type of vaccines to be used based on the safety, efficacy, cost and suitability of supply.
Dr Chanda also revealed that Government was finalising detailed modalities on the type of vaccination to be used and the actualisation of the programme which cabinet will soon approve.
“This will be done in consultation with relevant stakeholders including cooperating partners, the United Nations systems, religious bodies traditional leaders and scientific groups among others,” he said.
Dr Chanda said the World Health Organisation and other global authorities have added the Covid-19 vaccines to the available effective tools to fight the pandemic, adding that many countries have already adopted this strategy and are now vaccinating their citizens.
He said Government will continue to mount a multi-sectoral response to the fight against Covid-19 informed by evidencebased high impact intervention.
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says he will not hesitate to sign the Cyber Security Bill once presented to him by Speaker of the National Assembly, Patrick Matibini.
Parliament unanimously passed the proposed Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill 2021, which includes a bevy of new laws around the sending of messages and electronic communications in Zambia.
The bill was officially passed by Parliament on Tuesday and the draft legislation is ready to be signed into law by President Lungu.
Speaking to journalists in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Lungu said he was ready to sign the bill to ensure that people who infringe upon other people’s freedom were dealt with accordingly. - ZNBC
THE aquaculture Youth Funds are still available, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary Benson Mwenya has said.
Dr Mwenya said in an interview that youths should visit the ministry and get information regarding the funds.
He noted that youths should be organised as fish farming demands a number of requirements such as land.
Dr Mwenya said that due to the requirements in fish farming, youths should form groups so that they could easily acquire land to benefit from the funds.
“The funds are available but that lack of information on the side of the youth is what is hindering them not come forth.
“They should come forth and get the true picture of the programme and undergo training,” he said.
Dr Mwenya however said
that a number of youth groups has benefitted from the funds.
In July last year, Government launched the $6 million Aquaculture Seed Fund Youth Empowerment Initiative under the Zambia Aquaculture Enterprise Development project.
Vice President Inonge Wina, who launched the initiative, said the seed fund would help youths venture into aquaculture value chain.
Ms Wina said through the initiative the country was expected to reduce the 87, 000 tonnes fish deficit thereby enhancing economic development and poverty reduction.