LCC bust witchdoctor’s morning clinic

KALOBWE BWALYA writes LUSAKA City Council police and the Zambia Police Service dispersed a crowd that had gathered at the home of a popular traditional healer for the morning clinic in Chaisa township. The law enforcement officers were acting on a tip from a concerned member of the public that every morning over 200 people gather at the traditional healer’s house for consultations and treatment contrary to public health guidelines on public gatherings. LCC public relations manager George Sichimba said the team found over 30 patients kept in two small rooms waiting to be attended to by the traditional doctor. Mr Sichimba said the council would strengthen the capacity of the Traditional Healers Practitioners Association of Zambia (THPAZ) to sensitise their members on how to conduct their businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, LCC has sent three fire engines and a team of public health inspectors to Kafue to re-enforce the Covid-19 multi-sectoral response. This is in line with the call by authorities for neighbouring councils to commandeer fire engines and human resource into Kafue, which is on lockdown after one death and two new cases of Covid19 were recorded. The call to action arises from the presidential directive announced by Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya to lock-down Kafue for massive screening, testing and disinfection of public places. Kafue has been declared a Covid19 hotspot after three people in the area tested positive to the virus resulting in one death.