Thursday, 6^th May, 2021

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

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QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

Mr Mecha (Chifunabuli): Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, suffice to indicate that some parts of the question I am about to ask have already been taken care of by our able Patriotic Front (PF) Government. Nonetheless, there is no harm in the hon. Minister providing a comprehensive response to the question.

 

ST JOSEPH’S MISSION HOSPITAL STAFF ESTABLISHMENT

 

199. Mr Mecha asked the Minister of Health:

 

1. when the following positions will be included in the staff establishment register for St Joseph Mission Hospital at Lubwe in Chifunabuli District:

 

1. anesthetist;
2. theatre nurse; and
3. nutritionist;

 

  b. whether the Government is aware that St Joseph and St Margaret Mission Hospitals are experiencing a   

       shortage of food for patients following the reduction in the amount of grants;

  c. if so, when the Government will increase the grants to the hospitals; and

  d. when the following equipment will be procured for St Joseph Mission Hospital:

 

1. oxygen concentrators;
2. suctioning machines;
3. bedside lockers;
4. beds and mattresses;
5. linen;
6. processor for X-ray department and ultra sound machine;
7. trolleys;
8. drip stands; and
9. wheelchairs.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Prof. Luo) (on behalf of the hon. Minister of Health (Dr Chanda)): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the establishment register only indicates funded positions from the total approved establishment. The approved establishment for St Joseph Mission Hospital includes the following:

 

1. one senior anesthetist and two anesthetic officers;
2. three registered theatre nurses; and
3. four nutrition technologists.

 

Sir, currently, St Joseph Mission Hospital has no funded positions for anesthetic officers and theatre nurse which are, therefore, not included in the approved establishment register. However, the hospital has one funded position for nutrition technologist, which is included in the establishment register. The variance between the approved establishment and the funded positions will be filled once funds are made available for the recruitment of staff.

 

Mr Speaker, the Government is not aware that following the reduction in the amounts of grants to St Joseph and St Margaret Mission hospitals, there is a shortage of food for patients. The Government intends to increase the grants to hospitals during the next budgeting cycle and consideration will be given to all first level hospitals, with a view to increasing the grants depending on the increment in the sector grants from the Ministry of Health. In addition, the House may wish to note that efforts are being made to mobilise resources from partners to strengthen service provision for district hospitals.

 

Sir, procurement of equipment by the Government to health facilities countrywide is being done in a phased approach and St Joseph Mission Hospital is expected to benefit from the Government’s intervention. The House may wish to note that the Government has already procured an ultrasound and oxygen concentrator for St Joseph Mission Hospital. The Government is committed to ensuring that equipment such as suctioning machines, bedside lockers, beds and mattresses, linen, processor for X-ray department, trolleys, drip stands and wheelchairs are procured for all the health facilities countrywide once funds become available.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, before I ask the hon. Minister a question, let me take this opportunity to appreciate the way Her Honour the Vice-President has provided leadership in the House. I am also grateful to our Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip and, indeed, Dr Musokotwane, not forgetting my good friend, Jack from Monze, whom we hope, if at all he will return to the House, and I stress the word ‘hope’, the United Party for National Development (UPND) can appoint him, again, as the Leader of the Opposition.

 

Mr Speaker, my question to the hon. Minister is: On the establishment that she has mentioned, what is the shortfall of those who are actually working in the hospital? The hon. Minister has mentioned the establishment, but if she does not have that information, I can seek it later.

 

Prof Luo: Mr Speaker, that is a new question. The question was about a senior anesthetist, two anesthetic officers, registered nurses and nutrition technologists. However, if the hon. Member would like to know the entire establishment, I can come back to the House and give that information.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mecha: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the responses from the hon. Minister. However, I am sure that the hon. Minister may be aware that the situation is now becoming desperate for both hospitals due to reduced funding. Initially, Kasaba, which is St Margaret Hospital, and Lubwe, which is St Joseph Hospital, used to receive an amount of over K45,000 per month. However, Lubwe Hospital, which is now St Joseph, only receives about K30,000. Kasaba, which is on the peripheral of the constituency, just receives about K15,000. The two hospitals are having challenges with referral cases because, at the moment, they cannot afford the fuel costs. If they divert the little funds available for food to other areas, then, the patients will starve. In view of the deteriorating and desperate situation at the two hospitals, what plans does the Government have to help the situation in the interim?

 

Prof Luo: Mr Speaker, as a Government, we work with the budgets. Our disbursement of funds is based on the disbursements from the Ministry of Finance. Since my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chifunabuli says the situation is getting desperate, I will engage the hon. Minister of Finance to see what can be done.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Muchima (Ikeleng’i):  Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the acting hon. Minister of Health for her response. The hon. Minister said equipment will be procured for all hospitals in the country when funds are made available. I also heard the hon. Minister refer to budgets. How will this equipment be procured if it has not been considered in the 2021 Budget? Is the hon. Minister telling us that consideration for the procurement of hospital equipment will be included in the 2022 Budget or is it an indefinite promise she is making?

 

Prof Luo: Mr Speaker, in my response, I said that the requirements will be taken into account in the next budgeting cycle, which is the 2021/2022 Budget, which we shall be considering from about September.

 

Mr Speaker, in addition, there was specific equipment that was requested. It was not all equipment because the hospital has a lot of equipment. However, there were specific things that were mentioned such as suctioning machines, bedside lockers, beds, mattresses, linen, processor for X-ray equipment, trolleys, drip stands and wheelchairs. So, this is the equipment whose consideration for implementation in the 2020 Budget I made reference to when I said that we would sit down to consider when coming up with the budgeting cycle, which will be considered from September 2021.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Mutelo (Mitete) Mr Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to ask a follow up question to the acting hon. Minister of Health, who is putting on a very nice face mask.

 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that equipment for hospitals will be procured in a phased manner. However, I have not heard under which phase St Joseph Hospital is. May I know the phase under which equipment for St Joseph Hospital will be procured? Will it be in the first or second phase?

 

Prof Luo: Mr Speaker, I think we are not talking about a phased manner, as it would refer to the construction of hospitals, but in terms of the procurement of equipment. When you are considering procuring hospital equipment, you can actually phase it because there is some equipment which is of immediate need for operation and that which can be delayed in terms of operation. Therefore, when we say phased manner, it is in terms of the purchase and procurement of this equipment.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

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BILLS

 

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

 

[THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE in the

Chair]

 

THE INDUSTRIAL HEMP BILL, 2021

 

Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Title agreed to.

 

CLAUSE 5 – (Application for licence)

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 5, on page 6, in line 24 by the deletion of the word “agency” and substitution therefor of the words “lead”

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 5, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

                                                     

Clauses 6, 7, 8 and 9 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 10 – (Transfer of licence)

 

Mr Katambo: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 10, on page 8, in line 17 by the deletion of the words “is not transferable” immediately after the word “Act” and the substitution therefor of the words “shall not be transferred to a third party without prior authorisation of the Lead Agency, on recommendation of the Committee”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 10, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Title agreed to.

 

THE NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES BILL, 2021

 

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 2 – (Interpretation)

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in clause 2, on pages 9 to 10 by the insertion, in appropriate places, of the following new definitions:

 

“court” means a court of competent jurisdiction or as otherwise specified in the Act;; and

 

Act No. 24 of

2009                            “health professional” has the meaning assigned to the words in the Health

Professions Act, 2009;.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clause 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.         

 

CLAUSE 4 – (Functions of Commission)

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 4, on page 12, in lines 25 to 26 by the deletion of paragraph (c) and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

(c)        provide counseling and rehabilitation services to drug addicts in consultation with the ministry responsible for health.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 5 and 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 7 – (Director-General)

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 7, on page 14, in lines 21 to 26 by the deletion of subclause (2) and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

         (2) A person qualifies to be appointed as Director-General if that person –

 

(a)        holds a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in economics, finance, accounting, banking, law               or other field relevant to the Act which is accredited or recognised and validated by the Zambia 

              Qualifications Authority; and

(b)        has a minimum of tens years’ experience at a senior management level in law enforcement.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 7, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clause 8 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 9 – (Deputy Director-General)

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 9, on page 15, in lines 29 to 34 by the deletion of subclause (2) and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

         (2) A person qualifies to be appointed as Director-General if that person –

 

(a)        holds a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in economics, finance, accounting, banking, law or other field relevant to the Act which is accredited or recognised and validated by the Zambia Qualifications Authority; and

 

(b)        has a minimum of tens years’ experience at a senior management level in law enforcement.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 9, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 10 and 11 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 12 – (Oath on appointment)

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 12, on page 16, in lines 25 to 30 by the deletion of Clause 12 and the substitution therefor of the following:

 

 

Oath and declaration of assets on appointment Cap. 5

 

                        12. (1) The Director-General, Deputy Director-General, Directors, investigating officers and other staff of the Commission shall, on appointment, take an oath in accordance with the Official

Oaths Act.

(2)        The Director-General, Deputy Director-General, Directors, investigating officers and other staff of the Commission shall before taking office under this Act and after every five years thereafter –

 

(a)        in the case of the Director-General and Deputy Director-General, submit to the Chief Justice a written declaration in the prescribed form of all the assets they own or liabilities owed to them; and

 

1. in the case of investigating officers and other staff of the Commission, submit to a Magistrate a written declaration in the prescribed form of all the assets they own or liabilities owed to them.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 12, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

 

Clauses 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 34 – (General penalty) 

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 34, on page 22, in line 4 by the insertion of the words “or to a fine not exceeding one million penalty units, or to both” immediately after the word “years”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 34, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 40 – (Application for authorisation)

 

 Mr Kampyongo: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 40, on page 25, in line 8 by the insertion of the words “research on,” immediately after the word “administer”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 40, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 49 – (Investigations)

 

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 49, on page 28, in line 25 by the insertion of the words “in accordance with section 71” immediately after the word “blower”.

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 49, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55,

 

56, 57, 58, and 59, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

CLAUSE 60 – (Restriction on disposal of property)

 

The Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Madam Chairperson, I beg to move an amendment in Clause 60, on page 36, in line 21, by the deletion of the word “a” and the substitution therefor of the words “the High”.

 

Amendment agreed to. Clause amended accordingly.

 

Clause 60, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

Clauses 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 91 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

First, Second, Third, Fourth and Firth Schedules ordered to stand part of the Bill.

 

LONG TITLE

 

Mr Kampyongo: I beg to move an amendment in the Long Title by the deletion of the Long Title and the substitution therefor of the following:

An Act to provide for the functions of the Drug Enforcement Commission; revise and consolidate the law relating to drugs and precursor chemicals; provide for special measures relating to the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of victims of drug abuse; domesticate the Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1998 and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, 2003; repeal and replace the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1993, and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

 

Amendment agreed to. Long title amended accordingly.

 

Long title, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill

 

Title agreed to

 

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HOUSE RESUMED

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair)

 

The following Bills were reported to the House as having passed through Committee with amendments:

 

The Industrial Hemp Bill, 2021

 

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Bill, 2021

 

Report Stages on Friday, 7^th May, 2021.

 

REPORT STAGE

 

The Acts of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2021

 

Report adopted.

 

Third Reading on Friday, 7^th May, 2021

 

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MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Wina): Sir, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

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The House adjourned at 1522 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 7^th May, 2021.

 

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WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

 

 

ZAMBIA RAILWAYS VIABILITY

 

198. Mr Chiyalika (Lufubu) asked the Minister of Transport and Communication:

 

1. whether Zambia Railways Limited is viable;

 

1. if so, how much profit the company made from 2017 to 2019, year by year; and

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to assist the company to pay the money owed to the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) retrenchees.

 

The Minister of Transport and Communication (Dr Mushimba): Mr Speaker, Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) is a viable company despite the numerous challenges that it has faced in the recent past. The company did not make any profits from 2017 to 2019. The Government remains committed to settling the arrears owed to the Railways Systems of Zambia (RSZ) retrenchees. The Government has, so far, paid K596,141, as settlement of arrears owed to former employees of the RSZ. Settlement of the outstanding balance is dependent on the availability of resources from the Treasury.

 

I thank you, Sir.