Vaccine Delay Increases Stresses on Zambian Health Facilities

The Minister of Health, Jonas Chanda, has raised concern that Zambia may experience a third wave of COVID-19, with health facilities still seeing a large number of critically ill patients with the virus. 

Dr Chanda has continued to urge Zambians to remain on guard and to strictly adhere to public health guidelines. 

“Given that we live in an interconnected and globalised world with travel into and out of Zambia, it is crucial that we remain on guard against a possible third wave locally in the coming cold months and which can only be mitigated by strict adherence to public health guidelines to prevent transmission,” he said. 

The number of new COVID-19 cases in the country were recorded at 176 on Sunday, with 1 death on the same day. However, a study carried out by the Lancet estimates that such figures could be as much as 92 times higher than the reported level. 

The minister of health has recognised the potential high number of asymptomatic cases of the virus, enabling it to spread easily throughout communities. With an increased spread of the virus comes an increase possibility of more cases with severe symptoms which can result in death.

Vaccination of the population will reduce such possibilities.

Commendation of the Zambia Institution Technical Advisory Group by Dr Chanda for its input and guidance on vaccine acquisition and deployment may be a little too late as the country remains one of only two in southern Africa yet to bring in vaccines. 

Had a plan been put in place sooner to obtain vaccinations, the country would be less likely to face a third wave in COVID-19 cases. The number of critically ill patients would also have been lower, with the vaccine reducing the severity of symptoms if individuals catch the virus. 

Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema issued a warning over the weekend that a delay in vaccinations is due to funds being spent on the government trying to maintain political power as the elections loom, rather than focusing on important issues relating to COVID-19.