By JAMES MUYANWA in Washington DC, USA –
THE Government has sourced US$10 million for the construction of cancer treatment centres in Lusaka and Livingstone.
The funds have been acquired from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
The financing agreement for the project was held here between Finance Minister Felix Mutati and BADEA chairperson Yousif Bin Ibrahim Al Bassam on the sidelines of the just-ended International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank annual meetings.
The project is in line with the Zambian Government’s policy to expand health services coverage and decentralise the provision of specialised services like cancer treatment.
Mr Al Bassam said the project would help to expand the provision of cancer care services with the development of radiotherapy in the country.
“Our meeting today signifies the brotherly relations that bind your Government and BADEA on one hand, and the Arab world and the whole Africa, on the other hand,” Mr Al Bassam said.
He said the cancer project was in addition to a list of projects that BADEA had already financed in Zambia and fell within the framework of BADEA’s overall goal of contributing to the development of the Southern African country.
It further underscored the importance of the Afro-Arab cooperation.
Mr Al Bassam said by last month, BADEA’s total commitments to Zambia stood at $130 million while the total commitment of the Arab National and Regional Development Finance institutions was K280 million as at June 2018.
He pledged to increase the support in the near future.
“Finally, I would like to extend my wishes of prosperity to Your Excellency and to the people and Government of Zambia, trusting that your esteemed Government shall take necessary measures to effectively and efficiently implement this project,” Mr Al Bassam said.
In response, Mr Felix Mutati paid glowing tribute to BADEA for the continued support to Zambia and said that the project would go a long way in addressing cancer-related illnesses and care.
The minister was sure that his counterpart for Health, Chitalu Chilufya would be overjoyed by the funding, given the area it was target at.
Mr Mutati said BADEA had been a true friend of Zambia which continued to offer support to the country.
He assured the bank that the Zambian Government would ensure that the money went towards the intended purpose to enhance treatment and care services for cancer patients in the country.
Mr Mutati appealed to BADEA to, in the future, provide support towards the education sector, especially in the field of sciences.