The WHO Country Office in Zambia recently provided the country with 200 foot-operated hand washing equipment for use in health care facilities, integrated video and audio teleconferencing equipment for use in the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) and four motorbikes for disease surveillance in Lavushimanda, a rural district with difficult terrain.
The procurement and transport of the equipment was made possible through generous donations from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development and the United States Agency for International Development allowed for the procurement of the equipment and transportation facilities
The Ministry of Health officials recognize that the WHO donation was critical in strengthening the health system in general, as it also needed to continue providing other essential health services. Providing these handwashing facilities was a high-impact intervention, not only key in preventing infection but also acting as a motivation to health workers and clients.
WHO also supports the Emergency Operations Centre and said that the provision of transportation facilities to the newly created district in Lavushimanda would enhance outreach and supervision activities.
WHO works with other United Nations agencies and partners to strengthen ongoing interventions to respond and prevent further spread of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in Zambia.