Zambia: Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo, has hailed the Belgian government for the long-standing commitment to global development and Belgium’s ongoing support to Zambia.
Masebo says the bilateral relations between Zambia and Belgium have been characterised by a shared vision for a healthier and more prosperous future.
The Minister of Health said this today when she held bilateral talks with Belgian Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Director General Heidy Rombouts on the sidelines of the 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) currently underway at Kenneth Kaunda International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
During the talks, Masebo said that Zambia’s National Health Policy and priorities are aligned with international frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that the government places a strong emphasis on maternal and child health, infectious disease control and the management of non-communicable diseases.
Masebo appealed for cooperation with the Belgian government in four focus areas, namely strengthening health systems, capacity building, technological innovations and joint research initiatives.
Masebo further expressed Zambia’s desire to have local manufacturing industries, especially for vaccines, stating that exploring partnerships in the pharmaceutical industry is pivotal in enhancing local pharmaceutical manufacturing and ensuring a steady supply of essential medicines.
Meanwhile, Belgium Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Director General Heidy Rombouts said her country has, for a long time, been building on health systems and is convinced that having strong national health systems with regional and global approaches is the best approach to prepare for future pandemics.
Rombouts said her country is focusing on partnerships with all the countries, including Zambia, to fortify and strengthen preparedness for the next pandemic strikes.
Rombouts further disclosed that Belgium will hold the EU presidency from 1st January to 30th June 2024 and has promised to put health top on the agenda of their presidency.
She called for close cooperation between Belgium’s Ministry for International Development, Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid and Zambia’s Ministry of Health.