SIMAERO Holding, a French company that specializes in aerospace engineering, has announced plans to open a new office in Lusaka, Zambia.

Simaero is a major player in pilot training, flight simulator operations, and engineering services worldwide. The group gives its over 250 customers access to a network of 30 full-flight simulators in Paris, Dinard, Johannesburg, and Zhengzhou.

Simaero Global Manager, Mr. Karim Mekrez, made the announcement on sidelines of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly after meeting with the President’s Special Adviser for Projects, Implementation and Monitoring, Dr Lawrence Mwananyanda, and Permanent Representative, Dr Chola Milambo, at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations Offices in New York.

He said Simaero plans to invest in Zambia because it shares the vision of President Hichilema to make Zambia a regional aviation hub.

“The idea is to partner with Zambia Air Services Training Institute (ZASTI) to be the next training simulator in Lusaka,” he said. Simaero is an Approved Training Organization for pilots, certified by the EASA. It offers a complete set of training solutions covering a comprehensive range of aircraft types.

This is according to a press release issued by: Namatama Njekwa, First Secretary for Press and Public Relations, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United, New York.

AN illegal health practitioner of Congolese origin has been arrested in Lusaka for allegedly causing the death of a patient who had fibroids.

The suspect, Brian Musonda, 36, was arrested by a team of police officers who worked in conjunction with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).

HPCZ Public Relations Manager Terry Musonda said in a statement Mr Musonda of Makeni area, Lusaka was nabbed after a joint operation was alerted that that suspect was providing health services without a license.

Mr Musonda explained that HPCZ was alerted that last month, the suspect attempted to conduct an operation on a 37-year-old woman of George Township who had fibroids but the exercise resulted in death.

“Investigations into the matter revealed that the suspect had been masquerading as a health practitioner and operating an illegal health facility from his residence in Lusaka’s Makeni East area,” he said.

Mr Musonda explained that at the time of his arrest, one patient was admitted at the illegal health facility where numerous medical equipment and supplies were found.

The arrest of another fake doctor is appearing before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court for allegedly administering a purported injective contraception on a women whose arm ended up rotting and being amputated.

The accused in this case is Shady Hang’andu,58, was recently found with a case to answer and placed on his defence.

(Mwebantu, Tuesday, 8th August, 2023)

MINISTER of Heath Sylvia Masebo has bemoaned the theft of medicines in health facilities which has resulted in shortages of medication and other medical supplies.

Ms Masebo said thefts have not only created a shortage, but also affected operations in health facilities as it has seen to patients suffering when in dire need of treatment.

The Minister revealed that arrests of some people behind the theft of medicines have been made, with a total of 70 arrests, 35 convictions of which 26 are health workers.

Ms Masebo said the health workers who have been convicted for theft of medication will be deregistered as they do not serve in the best interest of the people.

Speaking yesterday at the opening of a consultative meeting on thefts of medicines and medical supplies from public health facilities, Ms Masebo said the theft of medical supplies will not be condoned.

“Thefts of medicines and medical supplies in our public health facilities are a matter of utmost concern and urgency as they undermine the efforts of government to provide quality healthcare services to all. Thefts of medicines are not only illegal, but also unethical, as they directly affect the lives of the most vulnerable members of our society,” she said.

Ms Masebo said when medicines and medical supplies are stolen from the public health facilities, it means that patients who are in dire need of adequate care and treatment of their ailments are not appropriately treated.

She said not getting adequate treatment led either to complications, disability or death.

“Stealing of medicines and medical supplies from public health facilities also frustrates the efforts of dedicated healthcare workers who work tireless to ensure quality services are provided to our people. To address this issue, we must take decisive and immediate actions,” Ms Masebo said.

She said the Ministry has further taken a step to write to Health Professions Council of Zambia to have those convicted be deregistered so that they should never practice and stop to deprive the public of the much needed life-saving medicines.

The Minister further said a task force has been established to ensure that measures being strengthening collaboration with law, staff training and awareness, improved inventory management, community engagement and security of medications in which Ministry has directed procurement of CCTV’s to be installed against thefts.

(Mwebantu, Friday, 4th August, 2023)