BUCHI-KAMITONDO has been declared a rabies zone after about 20 people were bitten by a stray dog in the area.
What is worrying though is that some people in the area failed to co-operate with the council in its quest to have dogs there vaccinated.
Despite a mobile sensitisation campaign, the Kitwe City Council says many people still did not turn up for the exercise.
Unfortunately, most disobeyed the “tie-up” order of all dogs in the township and refused to have their dogs vaccinated.
Most of these residents know very well the effects that rabies can have on human beings. Some of these residents may think being bitten by a dog is child’s play and forget that when their dog is not vaccinated the chances of it being infected with rabies are high.
Rabies are fatal in humans unless they receive medical treatment to decrease the chance of infection. We have had reports in the country where people have died from the disease because they could not access the costly treatment.
Rabies infects the central nervous system, damaging the brain and causing death. Early symptoms may include fever, headache or weakness much like flu. Insomnia, anxiety, confusion, partial paralysis and excitation may occur as the disease progresses. Agitation, hallucinations, difficulty swallowing, hydrophobia (fear of water) and an increase in saliva or foaming at the mouth may follow. Death results within days of symptoms.
Rabies is, therefore, a dangerous disease and when it is suspected in any community, it should be treated with the urgency it deserves and the best way of doing this is by helping to eradicate it and getting dogs vaccinated.
Also, dog owners should know that apart from rabies, vaccinations are a critical part of their pet’s preventive health care. Vaccinations also protect dogs from other diseases such as distemper and hepatitis among others.
Also, if you do not get your dog vaccinated, the council has warned and rightly so that they will shoot it to prevent the spread of disease.
This is not a joke but a timely message for all dog owners in the country and not just the residents of Buchi-Kamitondo. If you love your pet, get it vaccinated or it will be killed.
Also, please keep only the recommended number of dogs per household, which is two. Unfortunately in this country some “pet lovers” amass pets such as dogs and then fail to care for them letting them roam the streets, scavenging from rubbish pits. If you own such a dog do not cry foul when it is mistaken for a stray and shot.
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Youth fund
A COUNTRY that neglects its youth is as good as dead. According to an English philosopher, Francis Bacon, “Young people are fitter to invent than to judge; fitter for execution than for counsel; and more fit for new projects than for settled business.”
The disbursement of KR1.2 million Youth Development Fund (YDF) to youths in Northern Province demonstrates the PF government’s realisation of this fact and its commitment to ensuring young people are well empowered to contribute to national development.
Early this year the Ministry of Youth and Sport launched a KR19.1 million Youth Development Fund for youth empowerment programmes countrywide.
The ministry has managed to approve 47 loan applications for the Youth Development Fund in Northern Province out of the 49 received.
It is, however, hoped that this initiative, which is aimed at improving the livelihood of youths in both urban and rural areas, will be well managed to ensure it reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Northern Province should be commended for fairly sharing the youth Development Fund among its districts. It is on record that all districts in the Northern Province have had a fair share of the KR1.2 which was disbursed.
While Government has demonstrated its political will to empower youths through the Youth development Fund, the greater responsibility lies on the recipients to ensure that they utilise these resources prudently by investing in viable business ventures.
The beneficiaries of the Youth Development Fund should bear in mind that this is not free money as they are expected to pay back, which is justifiable if the initiative is to be sustainable.
Mr Kambwili’s sentiments that youths who fail to pay back the loans will be held liable should be supported by all development-minded citizens.
Government has the responsibility to ensure the Youth Development Fund only attracts responsible and honest youths who stand ready to contribute to national development, while deterring fraudsters.
Posterity will surely judge the youths harshly if they fail to prudently utilise these resources availed to them to better their livelihoods as well as contribute to national development.
And while we implore youths to rise up and take advantage of the Youth development Fund, it is also hoped that other provinces will emulate Northern Province by ensuring equitable distribution of the fund among all districts to enable the integration of more youths in national development.
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