By HOPE BWALYA –

GOVERNMENT has said there is need to increase the health care population ratio in Zambia, as it does not meet the international standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Health Minister Joseph Kasonde said Zambia faces a challenge in the number of health care personnel because the number of diseases was increasing at a higher rate.
The minister said this in a speech read for him by the ministry’s director of clinical care Welani Chilengwe at the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) annual site visit in Lusaka yesterday.
“These challenges come in the face of Zambia as a country having health worker population ratios that do not meet international standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO),” he said.
Dr Kasonde said Zambia’s current environment was burdened with a lot of diseases and therefore, needs increased health care personnel.
He said the high prevalence levels and impact of communicable and non-communicable diseases, has posed as a challenge to the insufficient number of health workers.
It is a challenge to provide effective quality health care services to people in need of it within the country.
Dr Kasonde thanked the many cooperating partners that are complementing Government’s effort in combating healthcare problems.
Centre for Disease Control (CDC) representative Kip Baggett said strengthening healthcare workforce was a must as it will ensure quality delivery of health services to all Zambians.
Dr Baggett said there is need for vigilance as the world is approaching an AIDS free generation.