During her address to Parliament, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo shared an update on the current health situation, specifically focusing on the prevalence of severe pneumonia caused by Influenza and Coronaviruses. She revealed that a total of 13 patients are currently undergoing treatment for this severe form of pneumonia, with 11 patients admitted to the University Teaching Hospital and 2 patients receiving care at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital. Tragically, one individual has succumbed to severe pneumonia resulting from influenza and another bacterial infection.
Ms. Masebo emphasized that all 13 patients are receiving oxygen as part of their treatment, with one patient classified as being in critical condition. Furthermore, she presented the findings from the examination of 3,070 samples conducted between May and June, indicating that 74 of these samples tested positive for the viruses. Specifically, 43 positive cases were reported in Lusaka, 9 in the Copperbelt, 7 in Southern Province, 6 in both Central and Luapula provinces, 2 in Eastern Province, and 1 in the Northern Province. Notably, no positive cases were recorded in Muchinga and Western provinces.
In addition to providing these crucial updates, Ms. Masebo disclosed that the government has taken active measures to enhance pathogen detection capabilities. A multi-disease diagnostic platform has been implemented at the University Teaching Hospital to detect a wide range of pathogens, not limited to the aforementioned viruses. The government also plans to extend this diagnostic capacity to other provincial centers across the country, thereby bolstering the nation's ability to identify and manage various pathogens for the benefit of public health.