The city of Livingstone, lying 470km from Zambia's capital of Lusaka is a paradise away from home. Home to one of the wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls, this friendly and hospitable city also has its challenges. Being a border town and tourism capital of Zambia, issues of health such as lack of access to affordable health services like sexual and reproductive health are very real.
On the 16th of June, MeTA had a meeting at the Fairview Hotel to reconstitute the Livingstone local MeTA Network. The new team has representation from youth organisations, womens organisation, the media, health sector as well as the disabled. Presentations were made by communications officer Zindaba Ngwenyama, Assistant coordinator in charge of Civil society organisations Masautso Phiri and the National Co-ordiantor Liyoka Liyoka.
New Terms of reference as well as mandate, guidelines on policy advocacy and evidence on sexual reproductive health commodities ( access, availability and affordability) were given to the LMN.
Creating space for a strong civil society to effectively engage with the government of the Republic of Zambia, the private sector and other stakeholders accountable for health systems so as to deliver equitable accessible and high quality SRHR services to all through strengthened health systems is paramount. The Livingstone local MeTA Network is now well equipped with the necessary information to engage the local policy makers.