By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
GOVERNMENT has released K405,000 to boost the construction of a new malaria laboratory at the Tropical Disease Research Centre (TDRC), Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Davy Chikamata has said.
Dr Chikamata said the release of funds was part of Government’s deliberate strategy to transform the TDRC into a vibrant national diseases control centre.
He said at the TDRC open day yesterday held at the Ndola Central Hospital where the institution’s offices are housed that Government had released K405,000 to continue the construction of a new malaria laboratory as part of upgrading facilities for the Supranational malaria reference laboratory.
“TDRC has been designated as the Supranational reference laboratory for malaria for the SADC (Southern Africa Development Community) region in recognition of the good track record of research in malaria. A lot of pioneering work on a number of anti-malarial drugs that have had global influence has taken place at TDRC and much work in that regard is still on-going,” Dr Chikamata said.
Government was also considering, he said, adding another function that the new TDRC Complex under construction in Mitengo area in Ndola would take on, as a public health laboratory that would be used for disease surveillance and confirm diagnosis of epidemics.
The new research complex is estimated to cost USD$30 million and the Ministry of Health was sourcing K50 million to kick start the construction.
Dr Chikamata said Government had also committed funds towards upgrading the Nchelenge field site into a permanent field station as part of plans for TDRC expansion through satellite field stations.
He said he was happy that TDRC had organised the event to open up to the public especially that it targeted school children from six Jet Clubs in Ndola.
TDRC director Modest Mulenga said the school going children from six Ndola secondary schools were invited in order to excite them to inspire to be scientists.
Dr Mulenga said the future of Zambia’s health lay in research and that the young people’s research interests should be developed to grow the field.
TDRC has been in existence for 40 years this year and members of the public and pupils were taken on tours to show case what work the institution was involved in at the open day.