• The contribution will be channeled through the Ministry of Finance.
• The contribution is meant to help in addressing immediate COVID-19 pressing needs.
• Zambia has continued to record increasing numbers of new COVID – 19 cases and the death toll has also been on the rise.

Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has made a contribution of K3 million towards the Covid-19 response.
Speaking at the Ministry of Health, Bank Governor Christopher Mvunga said the contribution which will be channeled through Ministry of Finance, is meant to help in addressing immediate pressing needs that the Ministry of Health is facing with regards to the pandemic.
Mr. Mvunga stated that the Bank recognizes that health is one of the key pillars of economic development.
He noted that the country’s economic activities have largely declined as a result of the adverse impact of the pandemic as evidenced by reduced production, trade disruptions, business closures and decimation of the tourism industry.
“The Board, Management and staff of the Bank of Zambia is contributing K3, million towards the COVID-19 response. This contribution will be channeled through the Ministry of Finance. The contribution is meant to help in addressing immediate COVID-19 pressing needs that the Ministry is facing.”
“Consistent with our vision of being a dynamic and credible central bank that contributes to the economic development of Zambia, the Bank recognizes that health is one of the key pillars of economic development. The Bank has found it prudent to collaborate with the Ministry of Health in preserving human life at a critical time such as this one, when the third wave has ravaged the country. We have noted that Zambia has continued to record increasing numbers of new COVID – 19 cases and the death toll has also been on the rise,” Mr. Mvunga said.
Mr. Mvunga paid growing tribute to Ministry of Health for the efforts and measures being implemented in the fight against the pandemic, emphasizing that containment of the disease requires collective response from all stakeholders.
We commend the Ministry of Health for the efforts and measures being implemented in addressing the COVID –19 pandemic. Containment of this disease requires a collective response from all stakeholders including private citizens. We all have a role to play in this fight and we must play it effectively in order to flatten the curve,” he added.
And speaking at the same event, Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ) Chairman Herman Kasekende announced that the institution has partnered with Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIRDZ) to procure 1, 800 Oxygen Cylinders at a cost of K755, 000 to help reduce the acute shortage of Oxygen especially in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Malama assured the two institutions of transparency and accountability in the application of the funds and Oxygen Cylinders.
Zambia has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours, having reported 53 new mortalities, with 3,028 new confirmed cases out of 10,882 tests conducted giving a 28% positivity rate.