By MELBOURNE MUSHITU –

GOVERNMENT has assured the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) that refugees and asylum seekers in Zambia will be accorded equal access to health services as the local people.
Health Permanent Secretary, Peter Mwaba said Government was committed to providing better healthare services to both Zambians and refugees.
Dr Mwaba was speaking in Lusaka last Friday when UNHCR handed over a refurbished clinic at Makeni Refugee Centre.
“The Ministry of Health is running clinics in two refugee settlements in the country and I am happy to note that up to 40 per cent of the people attended to in these facilities are both Zambians and refugees. It is the duty of Government to provide healthcare to both its nationals and others within the country’s boundaries in line with the established policies and regulations,” he said.
Dr Mwaba said Government alone could not fulfil the needs of the health sector hence the need for more cooperating partners like UNHCR to come on board and offer support.
UNHCR country representative, Laura Castro commended Government for the exemplary cooperation extended to the organisation in the provision of primary healthcare to asylum-seekers and refugees.
Ms Castro said UNHCR’S policy in Zambia was to ensure a comprehensive and integrated primary health service to asylum-seekers, refugees and Zambians.
“We are, therefore, pleased once again to partner with the Ministry of Health as we hand-over the Makeni refugee transit centre clinic to the Lusaka District health office,” she said.
The clinic was rehabilitated by UNHCR and it has been equipped with new equipment and members of staff.