By NATION REPORTER
THE U.S. Government has provided an additional K112 million ($6.7 million) in Covid-19 assistance for Zambia.
This is being done through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
USAID Zambia Mission Director, Sheryl Stumbras, said the agency would continue to work in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health partners to boost access to oxygen and essential medicines.
Ms Stumbras said USAID would also support patient management and the hiring of additional doctors and nurses.
She said USAID would also increase support for community awareness and engagement by providing accurate information on Covid-19 and how communities and individuals could protect themselves.
“American leadership is rising up to meet unprecedented global health challenges.
“With decades of experience and investments in health, USAID has led the global response to health threats like Ebola, malaria, and tuberculosis,” she said.
Ms Stumbras said the U.S. was working quickly to get safe and effective vaccines to as many people as possible with the understanding that increasing global vaccination coverage was the best way out of this pandemic.
“Since the global outbreak of the pandemic, the United States, through multiple government agencies and initiatives including CDC, Department of Defence, Department of State, USAID, and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, has provided more than $28 million to fight Covid-19 in Zambia,” Ms Stumbras said.
She said the U.S. also provided financing through the Global Fund to Fight Against AIDS, TB, and Malaria, COVAX, Gavi, and other multilateral partners.
Ms Stumbras said USAID’s support complements the national effort to vaccinate Zambians against Covid-19, as vaccination was free of cost, available throughout the country and effective in preventing severe illness and death.
“We encourage all Zambians to get vaccinated,” she said.
Author
