UK Minister for Africa James Duddridge has announced an extra £180,000 (K4.65 million) and expert technical assistance to design and deliver a new emergency power solution for the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, in order to enhance the fight against COVID-19.

This is in addition to the over £720,000 (K18.6 million) of support, via the World Health Organization (WHO), to the Ministry of Health and other organisations in Zambia for preparedness in the face of COVID-19.

According to a statement from the British Embassy, Duddridge said this when he met President Edgar Lungu at State House yesterday.

“This funding is additional to the support announced by the British High Commissioner in July to the Ministry of Health and other organisations in Zambia for preparedness in the face of COVID-19. As part of the ongoing health system strengthening partnership between the UK and Zambia, the UK support has included: provision of expert training to over 200 health workers; strengthening health surveillance practices at 16 points of entry; provision of essential medical supplies, and preparation of a range of communication materials to support awareness raising amongst health professionals and the general public,” read the statement.

Duddridge said the UK would continue to support Zambia in its response to COVID-19.

“The UK will continue its strong record of support to Zambia’s COVID-19 response by providing funds and expert assistance to develop a new emergency power supply for the Levy Mwanawasa Hospital in Lusaka. By increasing the hospital’s access to reliable energy, this will enable the hospital to provide up to 800 more beds for critical COVID-19 care,” said Duddridge.