US$49,777 Grant to Power Lead Testing at Kabwe Health Centre
The Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) in Zambia has secured a US$49,777 grant from the Government of Japan to support the installation of a solar power system at Railway Surgery Health Centre in Kabwe District, Central Province.
The funding, provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, will ensure uninterrupted operation of testing equipment and improve access to timely testing for lead poisoning among children.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Wednesday, DAPP Managing Director Elise Soerensen said the solar system would significantly increase testing capacity.
“Testing capacity is expected to rise from about 1,360 to up to 3,400 samples per month. For the children of Kabwe, this is not just a number; it is a chance for a healthier future,” she said.
Ms Soerensen highlighted the long-term impact of lead pollution on children in the area. “Children continue to face serious health risks that affect their growth, learning, and future. Those with high lead levels in the blood suffer neurodevelopmental and physical damage caused by toxic exposure… that is why testing is very, very important,” she added.
Japanese Ambassador to Zambia, H.E. Mikami Akiteru, emphasised the broader significance of the project.
“Access to healthcare is fundamental to human development. Without good health, education and future opportunities are compromised. What may appear to be a simple installation of a solar power system will, in reality, have a profound impact on children’s health, growth, educational attainment, and ultimately the future of this country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr George Sinyangwe, Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination at the Ministry of Health, thanked both the Government of Japan and DAPP Zambia for responding to the challenges facing communities in Kabwe.
He highlighted the importance of partnerships between civil society organisations, development partners, and government agencies in delivering essential health services.
Also present at the ceremony were Ministry of Community and Social Services Permanent Secretary Angela Kawandami, Kabwe Mayor Patrick Chishala, Kabwe Central Member of Parliament Chrizoster Phiri, and other senior officials.
Since 2020, DAPP Zambia’s Child Aid Kabwe project has worked with over 4,500 households, raising awareness about lead exposure, planting trees to trap lead dust, facilitating access to health facilities for testing, and providing nutritional support to children undergoing treatment.
