Gov’t sounds alarm over foodborne diseases

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

GOVERNMENT has called for urgent action to strengthen food safety systems after revealing that millions of Zambians continue to suffer from preventable foodborne illnesses linked to poor hygiene, contamination and unsafe food handling practices.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kennedy Lishimpi said the country must move beyond recognizing the burden of foodborne diseases and focus on implementing practical, evidence-based solutions across the entire food supply chain.

He was speaking during the commemoration of World Food Safety Day in remarks delivered for him by University Teaching Hospitals (UTH) Children’s Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent Musaku Mwenechanya.

Dr Lishimpi described food safety as a critical public health issue that is essential for protecting lives, supporting economic growth and advancing national development.

The event, held under the theme “From Burden to Solutions: Food Safety Everywhere,” highlighted the significant toll that unsafe food continues to have on the country’s health system.

Dr Lishimpi disclosed that the ministry has recorded 7.2 million cases of non-bloody diarrhoea, 158, 922 cases of food poisoning, 94, 532 cases of infectious diarrhoea, 92, 557 cases of severe dehydration and 18, 753 cases of viral diarrhoea.

“The data clearly demonstrates the ongoing burden that foodborne diseases place on our health system and underscores the urgent need for strengthened preventative measures,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Educational Services Kelvin Mambwe reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to improving food safety standards in schools, saying good nutrition and quality education go hand in hand.

In a speech delivered by Assistant Director for School Health and Nutrition Maybin Luulu, Dr Mambwe warned that foodborne diseases can lead to increased absenteeism, poor concentration, malnutrition and lower academic performance among learners.

Also speaking at the event, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in Zambia Percy Filippini commended the government’s efforts to strengthen food safety and stressed that ensuring safe food requires collective action from everyone involved in the food value chain.

Food industry representative Donato Elicio echoed the call for stronger action, saying food safety should no longer be viewed merely as a regulatory obligation but as a key solution for promoting sustainable development and addressing the health, social and economic costs associated with foodborne illnesses.

“Unity is key if we are to remove the UPND from power. Zambians are looking for an alternative because they are disappointed with the current leadership and its failure to address the challenges facing ordinary citizens,” he said.

He explained that opposition leaders should put aside personal interests and focus on the broader objective of providing effective leadership and improving the welfare of Zambians.