THE Public Health Partnership Forum (PHPF) has appealed to health authorities to close Kawambwa Boys Secondary School before the school experiences an outbreak of communicable diseases.

PHPF acting publicity secretary Don Chilufya said the pupils risked contracting cholera, typhoid, dysentery or urinary tract infections if the situation at the school remained unchecked.

Dr Chilufya said in Lusaka the school had five ablution blocks but only one was functioning to cater for about 1,200 pupils.

"The situation has been like this for a long time now despite the relevant authorities being aware.

"Due to deplorable and inadequate sanitary facilities, pupils are forced to answer the call of nature in surrounding bushes and they bath and wash clothes in Ng'ona Stream," he said.

Meanwhile, PHPF has praised the Health Minister for passing a Statutory Instrument that has seen the transformation of Medical Council of Zambia (MCZ) to Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).

Dr Chilufya said that was a welcome development as it would enable HPCZ to effectively monitor public and private institutions and improve on quality health care for patients countrywide.

He, however, urged HPCZ to decentralise its operations to provincial offices, employ more inspection officers and address the mushrooming of quack doctors in Zambia.

He said currently, health professionals have to travel to Lusaka to register and renew their practicing certificates saying this deprives patients of the much needed services from them.

Dr Chilufya said HPCZ had inherited not more than three inspectors from MCZ who could not manage to inspect the more than 500 registered consulting rooms.