Zambia’s Minister of Health, Jonas Chanda, has announced plans to recruit 395 health workers to lessen the burden on the workforce worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chanda confirmed that President Edgar Lungu had authorised the hiring of more health workers as part of the COVID-19 response.
“The epidemiology of the COVID-19 has contributed to an unprecedented increase in the demands on the healthcare workforce, and simultaneously
diminished health worker supply,” he said in a statement.
“The ministry has also employed the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes platform to enhance the capacity of the current staff through
mentorship and case management”, said the official.
Chanda acknowledged that the country had seen reduced numbers of COVID-19 cases in the past one week, but warned against complacency.
According to him, more efforts need to be exerted in order to sustain the gains and prevent an anticipated third wave in the cold season.
Zambia recorded 555 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative cases to 79,557. The cases were picked from 6,266 tests done,
representing a nine per cent positivity.
During the same period, the country recorded six deaths, bringing the total deaths to 1,104, while 476 patients were discharged,
bringing the total recoveries to 75,563.