Lusaka, 31t August, 2015 - The WHO Representative, Dr. Jacob Mufunda made a donation of 11, 297, 000 tablets of Albendazole 400mg tablets worth K2million to the Ministry of Health for deworming against soil transmitted helminthes in Children.

Speaking at the function which took place this morning at the WHO Offices, Dr. Mufunda said that Neglected Tropical Diseases placed an unacceptable burden on the health of the poorest people in Zambia. He said that in order to contribute to the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases, WHO was supporting the Ministry of Health by securing drugs for schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, human African trypanosomiasis, soil transmitted helminthes and trachoma.

In addition to the donation of Albendazole,  during 2015, WHO has  also donated  Diethylcarbamazine, Ivermectin and Albendazole for addressing Lymphatic Filariasis (elephantiasis) with prevalence rates ranging between 1% and 25% of the circulating Filarial antigen, Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and Trachoma, Praziquantel 600mg tablets  for treating Schistosomiasis and Mebendazole 100mg  for intestinal worms. Dr. Mufunda reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting government in its quest to improve the health of Zambian people.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Davy Chikamata thanked WHO for donating the drugs and targeting children. Dr. Chikamata said that Schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and sleeping sickness were common in Zambia. He said that a total of 10 million people were at risk of contracting lymphatic Filariasis in Zambia. The Permanent Secretary assured WHO that Zambia was moving in line with the Global Programme to eliminate Lymphatic Filariaris  which is targeted at eliminating the disease by 2020 and that a Mass Drug Administration programme was launched in the country in June 2015 to eradicate and prevent spread of the disease.

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For More information:

Nora mweemba, Health Promotion Officer, Email: mweemban [at] who.int (mweemban[at]who[dot]int), Tel. +260 211 255322

Billy Mweetwa, Essential Drugs and Medicines Officer, Email: mweetwab [at] who.int (mweetwab[at]who[dot]int), Tel. +260 211 255322

Below:

1. The PS, WR and officials from MOH, WHO and ZAMRA

2. The PS at MOH, Dr. David Chikamata (right) receiving the papers detailing the donation from the WHO Rep. Dr. Jacob Mufunda as Mr. Mbaulo Musumali looks on

3. The PS at MOH, Dr. David Chikamata (left), Mr Billy Mweetwa, Essential Drugs and Medicines Officer at WHO, the WHO Rep. Dr. Jacob Mufunda (right) after inspection of the trucks carrying the albendazole tablets