Government says the 650 health posts project financed by India at a cost of US$50 Million line of credit is a signature project in the India- Zambia relations.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary in charge of Administration Dr. Kennedy Malama has since appealed to Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India for effective collaboration between the two governments in the efficient implementation of the project.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on EXIM Bank of India in New Delhi, India, Dr. Malama said Zambia is happy that India has engaged Jaguar Overseas Ltd to complete the 201 health posts in Muchinga, Northern, Luapula and North Western Provinces.

“Let me assure EXIM Bank that Zambia has committed itself to ensuring that it shall provide all necessary support towards completion of the project,” he said.

Dr. Malama said the health posts were important because they were the first point of call between the local community and the formal health care as prescribed under the umbrella of Primary Health Care.

“I further want to assure EXIM Bank that 275 health posts have since been completed while the other 174 are at various levels of construction heading towards completion,” he said.

Dr. Malama said all health posts would be manned by qualified health personnel because Zambia had trained and employed over 5000 workers in the last few years.

And EXIM Bank of India Chief General Manager Nadeem Panjetan assured Zambia that EXIM would expedite the process of ensuring that Jaguar Overseas Ltd, started work as soon as possible to complete the pending works in Muchinga, Northern Luapula and North Western Provinces.

“EXIM Bank has now classified the 650 health posts project as a priority so that review meetings start taking place every month between India and Zambia,” Mr. Nadeem said.

He said the new contractor had exactly one year to complete the project from the date of contract effectiveness.

And Zambia’s High Commissioner to India Judith Kapijimpanga said Zambia felt greatly supported through projects especially the Itezhi Tezhi Hydro Power project and the decongestion of the Lusaka Urban roads.

This was contained in a statement released by First Secretary Press and Tourism at the Zambian Mission in New Delhi, India, Bangwe Naviley.