Metro

Senegal’s President Sall sack health minister, Abdoulaye Sarr over dead babies at hospital

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2022

Senegal’s President Macky Sall has fired the health minister, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr on Thursday and announced three days of national mourning for the death of the 11 new-borns.

Public health is in the spotlight again in Senegal yesterday when news broke that a fire outbreak at a hospital in Senegal has killed eleven new-born babies in the western Senegalese city of Tivaouane.

The sacked health minister, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, says that the state is waiting for “the expert report from SENELEC (National Electricity Company of Senegal, ed)” to find out the cause of the fire that killed 11 babies late Wednesday.

The president would return early from abroad and visit the hospital on Saturday, his office said.

The city’s mayor Demba Diop said the fire had been caused by a short circuit and spread very quickly.

He denied allegations from relatives at the hospital and across social media that the babies had been left alone, saying a midwife and nurse were present Wednesday evening.

“There was a noise and an explosion that lasted three minutes at most,” he said outside the hospital entrance.

“Five minutes later, the fire brigade arrived. People used fire extinguishers.”

The mayor said the air-conditioning had accelerated the flames and added that the two nurses fainted but were revived.

Recall that in April, six midwives are being prosecuted in connection to the death of Astou Sokhna, a pregnant woman who died after a long wait for a Caesarean section for hours in a public hospital.

Meanwhile, the country director for the right organization, Amnesty International, Seydi Gassama said his organization had called for an inspection and upgrade for neonatology services in hospitals across Senegal after the “atrocious” death of the four babies in Linguere.

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

16 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.