Institute claims Zambia’s capacity to detect, respond to disease outbreaks enhanced

The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) has said that the country has enhanced its capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks before they spread across the country.

ZNPHI Director General, Professor Roma Chilengi, said the country had avoided major disease outbreaks in the past few years because the health sector had enough expertise, manpower and resources to detect and respond to diseases before they spread.

Speaking during the graduation of 26 military personnel who completed a course in Field Epidemiology in Chilanga District, Chilengi said ZNPHI had invested heavily in frontline staff who were able to protect the country from diseases.

“We have not had a lot of serious outbreaks in the recent past because we have taken appropriate measures to train enough frontline staff. I am happy that this is the 42nd cohort of Field Epidemiologists we are graduating in the country,” he said.

He urged the military personnel to help detect risk factors in communities and report them early.

“In previous cohorts, we had people failing the course and dropping out. But I can confirm that in this training of military personnel, all 26 who started the course are graduating today. This is because of the discipline and determination you are known for,” he said.

Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Maambo Haamaundu, emphasized that it was important for the country to continue building a competent and responsive workforce capable of identifying threats early and responding quickly.

Haamaundu said the training of 26 military personnel as Field Epidemiologists came at an opportune time as Zambia continued to strengthen its preparedness and capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats through a multisectoral and One Health approach.

“The Ministry of Defence remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health, the Zambia National Public Health Institute, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other government institutions and cooperating partners,” he said.

Meanwhile, Defence Force Medical Services (DFMS) Director General, Brigadier General Dr. Perry Siachoombe thanked the Zambia National Public Health Institute for facilitating the training.

Siachoombe urged the military personnel to put into practice all they had learnt during the training.

Among the military personnel who graduated were 13 from the Zambia Army, six from the Zambia Air Force and seven from the Zambia National Service.

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