Ministerial statement by the Honourable Minister of Health
Zambia needs a healthy population in order to develop and thrive. The Zambian people are the biggest
and greatest asset this country has. As a country we still hold to the affirmation and promise to work
towards elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases. We keep this aspiration and momentum through
our vision and mission statement of, “Providing Quality Health Services as close to the family as
possible.”
Coming up with this Master Plan re-affirms my government's commitment to work with all cooperating
partners, civil society and line ministries in our efforts to control, manage and eventually eliminate the
Neglected Tropical Diseases in Zambia. This Master Plan provides us with hope and is our guiding
principle in the midst of NTDs. The document is a comprehensive highlight of the goals, objectives and
strategies to tackle these diseases in the next five years and beyond.
The biggest challenge of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Zambia is inadequate resources towards
prevention, control and case management. The rise in the disease burden of these ailments has a
negative effect on the health sector as a whole both socially and economically. It is saddening to note
that these diseases mostly affect the poor and marginalized society of the country.
We take sincere pleasure and gratitude to thank all our partners who have contributed in many ways
towards prevention, control and management of Neglected Tropical Diseases. It is my sincere hope that
this partnership is strengthened even further now that our resolve is elimination of these diseases. As a
Ministry we will endeavour to keep our promise, vision and mission statement in the fight against
Neglected Tropical Diseases. At all times we will not relent any guidance, advice and support from our
partners, civil society and any stakeholder in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases.
