KAWANA Calls for Mental Health Investment

By Alice Lubasi Information and Media Permanent Secretary THABO KAWANA has called on the Rotary Club to invest more in mental health programmes, particularly those targeting young people. Mr KAWANA says the increasing abuse of alcohol and other drugs among young people is a growing concern, affecting even educated and employed members of society. He says there is therefore need for greater investment in mental health interventions to help young people address substance abuse and lead productive lives. Mr KAWANA was speaking during a Rotary Club engagement in Lusaka. He says Government regards the Rotary Club as an important partner whose interventions in education and health complement Government efforts. Mr KAWANA has also commended Rotary for its 74-year contribution to Zambia, including its role in the fight against polio and malaria. And Rotary Club 9210 District Governor SAMUEL CHIKOWORE says the organisation has launched a new 10-million-U.S.-dollar, 10-year health project in Zambia. Mr CHIKOWORE says the project will focus on diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia. He says Rotary’s interventions are guided by seven key areas of focus, including disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, and maternal and child health.