2021-01-26 15:35:54 GMT2021-01-26 23:35:54(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
LUSAKA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) The Zambian government on Tuesday admitted that it was overwhelmed with demand for oxygen in its health facilities as the second wave of the pandemic continues to take its toll on the southern African nation.
Jonas Chanda, the health minister, said the government was on top of things and was collaborating with partners to ensure a steady supply of oxygen.
He said the government was partnering with international partners to ensure investments in oxygen plants, among others.
He said during a COVID-19 update press briefing that the demand has also been necessitated because not only patients with COVID-19 require oxygen but other patients as well.
GOVT CONCERNED OVER SHORTAGE OF DRUGS IN SOME FACILITIES zambiareports.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from zambiareports.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Health Minister Dr. Jonas Chanda has said that Government will engage its legal team to investigate and prosecute those who were involved in the supply of defective condoms and substandard drugs.
Dr. Chanda has also given a one-week ultimatum to Medical Stores Limited and the Zambia Medicines Regulated Authority (ZAMRA) to submit a report indicating how many substandard medical supplies have been recalled.
Dr. Chanda said that he will not tolerate anything that will harm the people and that punitive measures need to be imposed on all those involved in the supply of such medical products.
Dr. Jonas Chanda directed the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) and the Medical Stores Limited (MSL) to issue a report on all the recalled medical products.
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Zambia has in the last 24 hours recorded 1,264 new Covid 19 cases out of the 10 Thousand Five Hundred and 23 tests carried out across the country.
Health Minister Jonas Chanda said that the country has also recorded 12 new Covid related deaths in the last 24 hours.
Dr. Chanda explained that the 12 deaths bring the cumulative number of deaths to 597, saying the deaths have been classified as 233 covid deaths, 345 Covid19 associated deaths and 19 pending classification.
Dr. Chanda said that Government has continued to employ a multi-sectoral approach towards the fight against the pandemic and that the Ministry is collaborating with various sectors of society in order to incorporate response activities at community levels.