TITLE:
Zambia’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Exploring Lessons, Challenges and Implications for Future Policies and Strategies
AUTHORS:
Steward Mudenda, Misheck Chileshe, Moses Mukosha, Christabel Nang’andu Hikaambo, Michelo Banda, Martin Kampamba, Kennedy Mwila, David Chimbizgani Banda, Webrod Mufwambi, Victor Daka
KEYWORDS:
COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccines, Vaccine Hesitancy, Pandemic, Wave, Surveillance, Zambia
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
30,
2022
ABSTRACT: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is
a global public health problem that has
affected the globe in different ways. There is little information
published on the challenges and lessons learnt in responding to the COVID-19
epidemic in Zambia. Objective: To establish Zambia’s response, lessons and the challenges experienced in the fight
against COVID-19. Results: Since the emergence of COVID-19, Zambia has
experienced three waves, with the
third wave being the most severe. The Zambian government responded positively and effectively to all three
pandemics with the help of cooperating
partners. Zambia adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended prevention methods such as hand hygiene, masking
up in public, physical distancing, avoiding crowded areas and staying at home
to prevent the further spread of the disease. Additionally, surveillance of COVID-19 was strengthened, which led to the early
detection of cases. Besides, there has been a strong call for all
Zambian adults to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a way of controlling the
epidemic. However, since the launch of the
COVID-19 vaccination programs, there has been a high level of vaccine
hesitancy, causing Zambia to fall below the 10% of the adult population
required to be vaccinated. Conclusion: The Zambian government put in
place effective strategies in the fight against COVID-19. However, a lack of
resources, misinformation, myths and vaccine hesitancy posed challenges in the
fight against COVID-19 in Zambia. There is a need for continuous public
education and sensitization on COVID-19 and the importance of vaccinations.