Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya has urged the newly inducted medical granduates at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Ridgeway Campus to provide quality healthcare if the country is to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
In a speech read on his behalf by Levy Mwanawasa Medical University (LMMU) Vice Chancellor Professor Elwyn Chomba at UNZA Ridgeway Campus yesterday, the minister said Government through his ministry has placed premium on human capital development to drive the health sector to attain the universal health coverage agenda.
The minister commended the inducted graduates to soberly consider the task before them and pre-examine themselves to see that they are equal to the task and make commitment to their professions as they take their vital roles to the provision of health care services in the country and beyond.
“Government has placed a premiem on human capital development in the attainment of universal health coverage and efforts in achieving of health and productive people,” said Dr. Chilufya.
“Along with Zambia national health strategic plan 1017-2021 is to recruit 30,000 health workers, government has so far recruited about 21,000 since 2017, this demonstrate government’s commitment to fulfill target,” he said.
This year, a total of 395 graduates were inducted, among whom were 126 in medicine, 58 in pharmacy, 100 in nursing, 68 in biomedical science, 30 in environmental health and 13 in physiotherapy.
The event saw in attendance the School of Medicine Dean Dr. Kafumo Kache and UNZA Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Enala Mwase, to mention but a few.