Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Tuesday.

-- Zambia's First Lady Esther Lungu has launched a mobile health crusade aimed at combating non-communicable diseases.

The campaign is aimed at encouraging women to go for early screening of diseases such as cervical cancer. The Zambian first lady said many women and girls die from the disease as a result of late presentation. The 385, 000 U.S. dollars crusade is being funded by the African Development Bank. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- A former minister of finance in Zambia has justified government's decision to remove subsidies as a way of reforming the country's economy.

Katele Kalumba, who served as finance minister under late President Fredrick Chiluba in 1998, said removing subsidies on fuel and changing spending patterns were the solutions to economic recovery.

Last Friday, the country's energy regulator increased fuel pump prices due to a removal of subsidies on fuel while electricity subsidies are also expected to be scrapped. Last year, the government spent 600 million U.S. dollars to support electricity and fuel subsidies. (Times of Zambia)

-- The Zambian government said enhanced transport, mobility and connectivity are indispensable investments for overcoming the geographical constraints of Landlocked Developing Countries and linking them to regional and global markets.

Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Muchimba called on development partners and the private sector to enhance financial and technical assistance to landlocked developing countries for the sustainable and inclusive development of transport. (Daily Nation) Endit