Lions Aid Zambia (LIAZ) is currently forging partnership with Ministry of Health (MoH), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) in a programme that is aimed at eliminating trachoma, a bacterial infection that affects the eye and a leading preventable cause of blindness worldwide.
During a recent visit to Zambia/in October 2021, ITI Executive Director Dr. Paul Emmerson acknowledged that the uptake in Zambia has been good and that there is an elevated performance in the programme. He pledged continued support to the Zambian team. “We are behind you with our support in fundraising for the trachoma elimination programme”, said Dr. Emmerson during a courtesy call on the past MoH Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Malama.
And the PS commended LIAZ for the strong partnership with MoH, WHO and ITI adding that the programme interventions are contributing towards Universal Health Coverage. He also commended ITI for the support which he said is helping to improve health conditions among the vulnerable groups as trachoma has been having a toll on the vulnerable thereby reducing their lifespan. The PS was hopeful that the programme interventions will be impactful, leaving no one behind.
He was confident that the partnership between LIAZ, MoH and WHO will also promote transparency, accountability and integrity during programme implementation.
The ITI team from the international office in and the regional office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, visited Zambia to witness the launch of the trachoma Mass Drug Administration (MDAs) as well as the trainings of Community District Distributors (CDDs) in Kapiri Mposhi, Central Province of Zambia.
The Trachoma elimination programme of MoH that is supported by the Taskforce for Global Health through the ITI with LIAZ as the implementing partner currently consists of Mass Drug Administration (MDAs), Surveillance and Impact Surveys in 6 provinces and 30 districts Zambia.