By ISAAC MUKANDO –
KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has invested more than $356, 000 towards the indoor residual spraying campaign against malaria for Chingola and Chililabombwe districts.
KCM general manager corporate services Howard Chilundika said the launch of the campaign was part of the company’s broader health delivery package which included provision of routine medical services and community health.
Mr Chilundika was speaking during the launch of the 2014/15 indoor residual campaign in Chingola yesterday.
“KCM spends around $16 million per year in supporting our health system and will continue to provide this support, as a link between private sector participation in building a healthy Zambia and the Government’s national health delivery programmes,” he said.
Mr Chilundika said KCM would continue supporting Government towards the provision of health services.
Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Howard Sikwela said KCM had targeted 20, 000 households in high incidence areas for spraying as per national malaria control programme guidelines.
Rev Sikwela said in a speech read on his behalf by Chingola District Commissioner Roy Nang’alelwa.
He said Government through the national malaria control centre had given KCM 4, 011 sachets of ficium, a chemical for spraying.
He added that Government would support programs aimed at eradicating malaria as it was not only a hazard but had a negative impact on the economy.