Mother-to-Mother Support Groups Give Zambia’s Breastfeeding Campaign a Community Lifeline

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — For many mothers, the decision to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months can be influenced by more than personal choice. Knowledge gaps, economic pressures, workplace demands and food insecurity often determine whether a mother is able to provide the recommended nutrition for her child.

To address these challenges, Action Against Hunger Zambia is strengthening community-based interventions aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding through Mother-to-Mother Support Groups under its European Union-funded humanitarian programme.

Speaking on the sidelines of activities promoting breastfeeding, Linda Nyelechi, ECHO Project Lead Coordinator at Action Against Hunger Zambia, said the ECHO Funded Health and Nutrition project in Mantapala refugee settlement and the host community in Nchelenge District is working directly with communities to improve knowledge and support systems for mothers to promote exclusive breastfeeding as a way of “strengthening something that works”.

                                                          (Ms. Linda Nyelechi)

She explained that that through the ECHO funded health and Nutrition project, the program is encouraging mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months and timely introduction of complementary feeding after six months.

“We are promoting what we are calling Mother-to-Mother Support Groups, where we encourage mothers on exclusive breastfeeding within the first six months and complementary feeding after six months,” Nyelechi said.

The programme is being implemented in collaboration with districts health office and targets communities, including host communities and refugee settlement.

Nyelechi identified lack of information as one of the biggest barriers affecting exclusive breastfeeding practices.

“The major challenge that we see is knowledge. We are dealing with communities where knowledge issues come in and play a major role,” she said.

Through Mother-to-Mother Support Groups, Action Against Hunger provides awareness sessions aimed at helping mothers understand the importance of breastfeeding and child nutrition.

The project also screens children and mothers for nutrition-related challenges and links vulnerable cases to appropriate support services.

She said the programme targets different groups of women, including housewives, working mothers and women living in both host communities and refugee settlements.

“In those communities you find different kinds of women — you find housewives, especially in host communities, and you also find working mothers,” she explained.

She said the project works with mothers to develop practical plans that help them continue breastfeeding while managing daily responsibilities.

The programme also welcomed efforts by labour authorities to promote breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, including measures that allow working mothers to breastfeed their children.

Nyelechi warned that failing to practice exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months can expose children to serious health risks, particularly malnutrition.

“The risk of not doing exclusive breastfeeding, especially in the first six months, is that you expose the child to malnutrition,” she said.

She explained that breast milk contains essential nutrients and protection needed for a baby’s early development.

“Introducing any other feeding apart from breast milk at that stage endangers the child’s health,” she said.

Beyond knowledge and workplace barriers, Nyelechi noted that household Food security and livelihoods also affect breastfeeding and child nutrition outcomes.

She said challenges such as drought and disrupted livelihoods can place additional pressure on breastfeeding mothers and families.

“We cannot ignore the part that Food Security and livelihoods affected by a number of factors, especially drought, can affect the mother who is breastfeeding,” she said.

To address these challenges, Action Against Hunger is working with other stakeholders like Caritas Mansa to complement food security and livelihood interventions that support health and nutrition programmes.

Through Mother-to-Mother Support Groups, Action Against Hunger believes communities can become stronger partners in improving child health outcomes.

Nyelechi said empowering mothers with knowledge, peer support and practical solutions is essential to ensuring that children receive the best possible start in life.

For Action Against Hunger, breastfeeding promotion is not only about encouraging a feeding practice — it is about protecting children from malnutrition, strengthening families and building healthier communities.

As Zambia continues to promote breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week 2026, community-based programmes such as these are helping bridge the gap between policy commitments and the everyday realities faced by mothers.

 Breastfeeding: Zambia’s First Investment in a Healthier Generation

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — In the quiet hours before sunrise, when most of the city is still asleep, millions of mothers across Zambia begin a daily routine that carries consequences far beyond the walls of their homes.

A mother gently holds her newborn child, providing the first source of nutrition, protection and comfort. In hospitals, nurses guide new mothers through the first hours of breastfeeding. In communities, families make decisions that can influence the health and development of children for years to come.

Though often unseen, health experts say these moments represent one of the country’s most important investments in human development.

As Zambia commemorated World Breastfeeding Week 2026 under the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” stakeholders highlighted breastfeeding as more than a maternal responsibility — describing it as a national priority linked to child survival, economic development and social wellbeing.

The campaign focused on strengthening proven interventions that support mothers and infants, including breastfeeding counselling, supportive workplaces, Baby-Friendly health facilities and community involvement.

For generations, breastfeeding has been a natural part of motherhood. But health experts say its importance goes beyond tradition.

Breast milk provides essential nutrients required for a child’s early growth, strengthens immunity and protects infants against common illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia.

For mothers, breastfeeding contributes to recovery after childbirth and reduces the risk of certain health conditions.

However, speakers at the World Breastfeeding Week launch in Lusaka said breastfeeding must not be viewed only as a personal choice between a mother and her child.

“Breastfeeding is not merely a personal choice. It is a public health imperative, a social justice issue, and a cornerstone of sustainable development,” Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Mr. Zechariah Luhanga said.

He said strengthening breastfeeding requires coordinated action from government, employers, families, health workers and communities.

Recent national data indicate that about 70 percent of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed — a rate regarded as one of the highest in Africa.

The achievement has been attributed to years of investment in maternal and child health programmes, community engagement, policy interventions and partnerships between government and cooperating partners.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have cautioned that changing lifestyles, economic pressures and increased exposure to commercial marketing threaten breastfeeding gains in many countries.

For many mothers, the decision to continue breastfeeding becomes more difficult when maternity leave ends.

A woman may leave the hospital committed to exclusive breastfeeding, but returning to work can create challenges if she lacks time, privacy or support.

Some mothers struggle to find safe spaces to express breast milk, while others face workplaces that do not provide flexible arrangements.

He added that Zambia’s labour laws provide important protections through maternity leave provisions, nursing breaks and protection against discrimination related to pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Mr. Luhanga urged employers to implement these measures fully and establish breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.

He encouraged institutions to create designated lactation spaces and adopt policies that allow mothers to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.

For women in informal employment, the challenge is often greater because many depend on daily income and have limited workplace protection.

Health advocates at the launch challenged society to move away from the belief that breastfeeding is only a mother’s responsibility.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, speaking at the World Breastfeeding Week launch, added that breastfeeding remains one of the most cost-effective interventions for improving child health and reducing preventable illnesses.

He emphasized that strengthening breastfeeding requires sustained commitment from all stakeholders, including government institutions, health workers, communities and families.

Dr. Lishimpi noted that while Zambia has made significant progress in promoting exclusive breastfeeding, continued efforts are needed to address emerging challenges such as inadequate workplace support, misinformation and barriers that prevent some mothers from accessing the guidance and support they need.

He said creating an enabling environment for breastfeeding mothers is essential to ensuring that every child receives the best possible start in life.

“Breastfeeding is not only a health issue; it is an investment in Zambia’s human capital,” Dr. Lishimpi said, stressing the need for collective responsibility in protecting and promoting breastfeeding practices.

Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Karen Sichali Sichinga said successful breastfeeding requires collective support.

“The success of breastfeeding does not rest with mothers alone,” she said. “It requires supportive families, supportive fathers, supportive employers, supportive health workers and supportive communities.”

She explained that a supportive environment can determine whether mothers continue breastfeeding successfully.

A father assisting with household duties, a grandmother encouraging breastfeeding, a health worker providing accurate information and an employer creating supportive conditions all contribute to better outcomes for children.

While Zambia continues to address traditional barriers, health authorities have identified a new challenge — the growing influence of digital marketing.

Experts say many mothers now seek parenting information online, where commercial advertisements can sometimes compete with medical advice.

WHO and UNICEF warned that evolving marketing strategies for breast-milk substitutes, especially through digital platforms, require stronger monitoring and enforcement.

They called for increased protection of families from misleading information and urged stakeholders to ensure mothers receive accurate guidance.

UNICEF Zambia Representative Dr. Saja Farooq Abdullah said breastfeeding remains central to child survival, nutrition and development.

“Every child deserves the best start in life, and breastfeeding is the foundation,” Dr. Abdullah said.

She added that breastfeeding represents “love, health and protection” for children.

Beyond its health benefits, breastfeeding is increasingly being recognised as an economic investment.

WHO and UNICEF estimate that every US$1 invested in breastfeeding generates about US$35 in returns through reduced healthcare costs, improved education outcomes and increased productivity.

Experts say healthier children are more likely to perform better in school and become productive adults, while healthier mothers face fewer health complications.

In Zambia, WHO and UNICEF have supported breastfeeding promotion through programmes including the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, training of nearly 2,000 frontline health workers and community volunteers in infant and young child feeding counselling, and strengthening newborn care services such as Kangaroo Mother Care.

As the World Breastfeeding Week celebrations ended, stakeholders renewed calls for stronger commitment from all sectors of society.

Government institutions, employers, fathers, families, health workers, community leaders and the media were urged to help create an environment where every mother has the opportunity to breastfeed successfully.

 HRC Raises Alarm Over Political Violence and Hate Speech Ahead of August Elections

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has raised serious concerns over political violence, intimidation and hate speech ahead of Zambia’s 13 August 2026 General Election, warning that such incidents threaten constitutional rights and the credibility of the electoral process.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka, HRC Chairperson Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo said the Commission has observed isolated incidents of violence, inflammatory rhetoric and political intolerance involving political actors and their supporters.

                                              (Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo)

“Violence and threats of violence undermine fundamental human rights and freedoms, including the right to life, security of the person, freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, and the right to participate in public affairs without fear or intimidation,” Dr. Sambo said.

The Commission expressed particular concern over reported incidents that resulted in loss of life during the pre-election period. Dr. Sambo cited the deaths of Mr. Nelson Chikumbi in Lusaka, Mr. Stanley Sakala of Chivuna Village in Magoye East Constituency, and Mr. Humphrey Lwisha of Kaputa District as examples that underscore the need for accountability.

“Every life lost during an electoral period is one life too many,” she said, extending condolences to the bereaved families and calling for thorough, impartial and timely investigations.

The HRC said it will continue to monitor the incidents and conduct independent investigations in accordance with its constitutional mandate.

The Commission also condemned a reported incident in Mtendere Compound in Lusaka, where a girl was injured during a police crowd-control operation following a political campaign activity. Reports indicate that she was struck on the leg by a pellet discharged from a tear-gas canister.

Dr. Sambo said the incident raises serious concerns about the protection of children during political activities and security operations. The Commission has launched investigations into the matter.

Beyond physical violence, the HRC warned against the growing use of hate speech, threatening language and online abuse, particularly on social media platforms during the campaign period.

Dr. Sambo said. “The language used during elections can either promote peaceful coexistence or deepen divisions within communities.”

She stressed that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it must be exercised responsibly and with respect for the rights and dignity of others.

The Commission further expressed concern over the continued low participation of women in elective politics. According to the HRC, women account for only 12.5 percent of parliamentary candidates, 10.9 percent of mayoral and council chairperson candidates, and 8.5 percent of ward councillor candidates in the forthcoming elections.

Dr. Sambo said the figures reveal a significant gender imbalance and urged political parties to adopt deliberate measures to increase women’s participation in public affairs.

The HRC also warned that the spread of misinformation and disinformation could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and inflame tensions during the election period.

The Commission called on citizens, political parties and the media to verify information before sharing it and to promote responsible public discourse.

Dr. Sambo acknowledged efforts by the Electoral Commission of Zambia and the Zambia Police Service to address electoral tensions, but emphasized that all actions taken during the electoral period must respect constitutional rights, due process and human dignity.

As the country enters the final phase of campaigning, the HRC appealed to all political actors and citizens to reject violence, respect divergent views and ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful and rights-respecting environment.

“Elections are not merely a contest for political office,” Dr. Sambo said. “They are about people, their rights and freedoms, and their aspirations for the future.”

The Commission said it will continue monitoring the electoral environment through its Early Warning and Early Response mechanism and encouraged members of the public to report threats, intimidation and other human rights violations through its toll-free line, 8181.

 

 Hunger Threatens Ebola Fight as Outbreak Spreads Across Eastern DRC

By Staff Reporter

KINSHASA, DRC — In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the battle against Ebola is no longer being fought only in treatment centres and laboratories. It is being fought in homes where food is running out, in villages cut off by conflict, and along transport routes where the virus is spreading with alarming speed.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the outbreak has evolved from a localized health emergency into the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak on record, and that food assistance and logistics support are now critical to stopping further transmission.

“Ebola feeds on delay, fear and hunger,” said WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau. “Food assistance is frontline Ebola containment. It helps families stay home, supports safe isolation, builds trust with communities and keeps health teams moving.”

The warning comes as the virus spreads across 48 health zones in five eastern provinces — Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, and Haut-Uele — in a region already struggling with conflict, displacement, and widespread hunger.

Ituri remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for about 90 percent of confirmed cases, while new infections in Tshopo, including the city of Kisangani, and in Haut-Uele have heightened fears of wider transmission through major transport corridors.

Yet Ebola is striking communities that were already facing severe food insecurity. Humanitarian assessments indicate that nearly 10 million people in eastern DRC are experiencing crisis or emergency levels of hunger, with 1.9 million people in Ituri alone facing severe food shortages.

More than 2.65 million people living in Ebola-affected health zones are classified as acutely food insecure, including 628,000 people in emergency conditions.

Health officials fear that without food support, families may be forced to leave quarantine or isolation in search of food, increasing the risk of transmission and undermining containment efforts.

To prevent that scenario, WFP is expanding emergency food assistance for Ebola patients, their close contacts, frontline health workers, and affected households.

Since the outbreak began, the agency has delivered more than 160,000 hot meals in treatment and isolation centres and provided dry food rations to 23,000 people in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, including 14,000 people under quarantine receiving monthly food support.

An additional 36,000 people in Ebola-affected communities have received general food assistance.

Humanitarian officials say food support is helping reduce movement by affected households, encouraging compliance with public health measures, and creating safer conditions for medical teams to operate.

Through the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), the agency has operated 495 flights, transported 3,395 humanitarian responders, and delivered 56 metric tons of essential cargo to frontline locations, including newly affected provinces.

WFP-led logistics and telecommunications teams are supporting storage, transport, and communications operations in Bunia and dozens of affected health zones, while six logistics hubs are being established across Ebola hotspots to improve the movement of supplies and personnel.

Specialized isolation units have also been deployed in Bunia to support safe medical evacuations from remote areas.

Despite the scale-up, WFP says the response faces serious challenges, including insecurity, poor access, community unrest, and limited operational capacity in newly affected areas.

“Every delay gives Ebola more room to spread,” the agency warned.

WFP estimates it requires USD 101 million over the next six months for Ebola operations in the region, including USD 76 million for DRC alone. Food and nutrition assistance accounts for the largest immediate gap, with USD 50 million needed to sustain quarantine support, hot meals, and expanded assistance in newly affected communities.

The agency also requires USD 293.6 million to maintain all of its operations in DRC, including emergency food assistance and logistics support.

Humanitarian workers say the outbreak illustrates how disease, hunger, and conflict can reinforce one another. For many families, the choice is no longer simply between health and illness, but between staying safe and finding enough food to survive.

As eastern DRC confronts the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in its history, the response is becoming a race not only against a virus, but also against hunger, fear, and time.

For WFP and its partners, the message is clear: containing Ebola will require more than medical treatment alone. It will require ensuring that communities have the food, support, and confidence they need to remain at the centre of the response.

 Fresh Paint, Fresh Hope: How ZIM and G. Rutherford Are Brightening UTH

 By Alain Kabinda

The walls at the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH) have absorbed decades of human emotion. They have listened to the cries of newborn babies, the anxious whispers of families waiting for test results, the footsteps of nurses rushing through midnight corridors, and the silent prayers of patients hoping for recovery.

For many Zambians, UTH is not just a hospital; it is a place where life changes. It is where fear meets hope. Where exhaustion meets resilience. Where healing begins.

This week, those familiar walls received an unexpected gift: the promise of renewal.

The Zambia Institute of Marketing (ZIM), in partnership with Rutherford, handed over paint and painting accessories worth K43,000 to Zambia’s largest referral hospital. On paper, the donation is a modest contribution of paint, brushes, rollers, and related materials. In reality, it is something far more meaningful—a gesture of dignity, care, and solidarity.

Hospitals are often judged by the quality of their doctors, nurses, medicines, and equipment. Yet the physical environment also speaks powerfully to those who enter it.

A clean ward can calm anxiety. A bright corridor can lift a weary spirit. A well-maintained room can remind a patient that they are valued. Health professionals around the world increasingly recognize that healing is influenced not only by treatment but also by the spaces in which treatment is delivered.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, G. Rutherford Outdoor Advertising Head Sales and Marketing Ms. Nyari Muchakaneyi captured this idea simply and clearly.

                             (Ms. Nyari Muchakaneyi)

“We believe that a clean and well-maintained environment contributes to healing and the overall wellbeing of patients,” she said.

Her words resonated beyond the ceremony. Anyone who has spent time in a hospital understands that surroundings matter. For a mother sitting beside a sick child, for a patient recovering after surgery, or for a healthcare worker completing a twelve-hour shift, a fresh wall can feel like a fresh beginning.

UTH serves thousands of patients every month from across Zambia. Its wards, clinics, and emergency departments carry an enormous burden. Buildings age quickly under constant use, and maintaining such a large institution is a continuous challenge.

Receiving the donation, UTH Senior Superintendent Dr. Charles Mbewe emphasized that seemingly small contributions can have a significant impact.

                                 (Dr. Charles Mbewe)

“Paint and accessories may seem small, but they play a big role in maintaining a clean, dignified and healing environment for our patients,” he said.

His statement reflected a reality familiar to many public health institutions: every improvement counts. A brighter ward does not solve every challenge facing the health sector, but it improves the experience of those who pass through it.

For ZIM, the initiative was not simply an act of charity. It was an expression of corporate citizenship and professional responsibility.

Zambia Institute of Marketing (ZIM) Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Danny Chanda said the donation formed part of the institution’s corporate social responsibility activities.

                                      (Dr. Danny Chanda)

“As an institution that trains marketers, we understand the importance of branding, environment, and corporate citizenship,” he said.

His comments offered an interesting perspective on the role of marketing in society. Marketers are often associated with advertising campaigns, brand visibility, and consumer engagement. Yet at its core, marketing is also about shaping experiences and creating positive perceptions. In this case, the skills and values associated with marketing are being applied to a public hospital, helping to improve how patients and staff experience their environment.

The partnership with G.Rutherford demonstrates how private organizations can combine resources and expertise to support public institutions in practical ways.

What makes this story compelling is not the monetary value of the contribution but the message behind it. The donation tells patients that their comfort matters. It tells nurses, doctors, cleaners, and support staff that their workplace deserves care and attention. It tells the public that businesses can contribute meaningfully to national wellbeing.

Dr. Mbewe used the occasion to challenge other organizations to follow the example.

“We call on other corporate institutions to emulate this example,” he said.

His appeal speaks to a broader truth: government cannot meet every need alone. Sustainable development often emerges from partnerships between public institutions, private companies, professional bodies, and communities.

In the coming weeks, workers will begin applying fresh coats of paint to selected areas like laundry section of UTH . Patients may notice brighter walls. Visitors may notice cleaner corridors. Staff may notice a renewed atmosphere in the spaces where they work every day.

But beneath the new paint lies something less visible and perhaps more important—a renewed sense of hope.

Zambia’s health sector is increasingly being strengthened through partnerships involving infrastructure, equipment, training, technology, and community support. This donation adds another dimension to that effort by reminding us that compassion can also be expressed through the environment we create for one another.

Sometimes development is measured in buildings and machines. Sometimes it is measured in the quiet dignity of a patient room that feels cared for.

As fresh color spreads across the walls of UTH, it will carry more than pigment. It will carry a message from ZIM and G. Rutherford Outdoor Advertising to every patient, family member, and healthcare worker who passes through those corridors of UTH.

 Government, Amref Strengthen Health Training with ZMW3.3 Million Equipment Donation

 By Alain kabinda 

LUSAKA, July 29, 2026 — Zambia's efforts to build a stronger and more resilient health workforce received a significant boost on Wednesday as the Ministry of Health and Amref Health Africa in Zambia officially handed over medical and information communication technology (ICT) equipment worth more than ZMW3.3 million to 12 health training institutions across the country. 

The handover ceremony, held at the InterContinental Hotel in Lusaka, underscored the growing partnership between Government and development partners in strengthening health education and advancing Zambia's goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030. 

And Higher Education Authority (HEA) Director General Prof Kazhila Chinsembu said that modern teaching equipment is essential if institutions are to produce graduates capable of meeting today's healthcare challenges.

                                  (Prof Kazhila Chinsembu)

"These pieces of equipment are critical in improving the hands-on competencies of our students so that the graduates who come out of these institutions will be fully prepared," said Prof Chinsembu. 

He also acknowledged that concerns have often been raised about graduate readiness but expressed confidence that practical learning supported by modern technology would improve the quality of healthcare professionals entering the workforce. 

Prof Chinsembu also highlighted the growing importance of digital medicine and artificial intelligence in healthcare. 

He added that ICT equipment would enable institutions to embrace technological innovation while ensuring graduates continue exercising sound clinical judgment. 

"Human intelligence must always guide the responsible use of artificial intelligence," he said. 

Speaking during the handing over ceremony, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, described the investment as a practical demonstration of what can be achieved when Government and its partners work together to strengthen the country's health system. 

"The equipment we are handing over today represents much more than computers and medical devices. It is an investment in the future of our health workforce and ultimately in the health of the Zambian people," Dr. Lishimpi said. 

He noted that the New Dawn Administration continues to prioritize collaboration with cooperating partners to develop a competent, resilient and fit-for-purpose health workforce capable of responding to the country's evolving healthcare needs. 

Dr. Lishimpi commended Amref Health Africa in Zambia for its continued support to the health sector, particularly in human resources for health, maternal and child health, HIV, malaria, cholera response and other critical public health interventions. 

He said the donated equipment—including desktop computers, projectors, heavy-duty printers, hospital beds, incubators, oxygen concentrators, birthing simulation models and a state-of-the-art 4D diagnostic ultrasound machine—would significantly improve practical training for nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals. 

The beneficiaries  of this donation equipment are Apex Medical University (AMU), Copperbelt University, Evelyn Hone College (EHC), Kafue College of Health Science and Research ( KCHSR), Kafue School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kitwe College of Nursing and Midwifery, Lusaka Institute of applied Sciences (LIAS),Lusaka College of Nursing and Midwifery (LUCON), Ndola College of Nursing and Midwifery,National Institute of Public administration (NIPA), and Nkana College of Applied Sciences and Education , University of Zambia (UNZA). 

Dr. Lishimpi urged the beneficiary institutions to safeguard the equipment and ensure that it is properly maintained and utilized for its intended purpose. 

"These assets must be managed responsibly for the benefit of current and future generations of learners," he said, warning that the Ministry would not hesitate to take action in cases of misuse or neglect. 

And Amref Health Africa in Zambia Board Chairperson Priscilla Banda described the handover as an investment not only in equipment but in people, institutions and the future of Zambia's healthcare system.

                                       (Ms. Priscilla Banda)
 "Today is about much more than equipment. It is about investing in people, strengthening institutions and building a stronger, more resilient health system that is fit for purpose," she said. 

Ms. Banda explained that the donation was made possible through the Africa Health Collaborative, a flagship programme implemented by Amref Health Africa in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. 

She said the initiative seeks to strengthen health training institutions, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and prepare the next generation of health professionals with the competencies required to meet Africa's evolving healthcare needs. 

According to Ms. Banda, modern training equipment is essential for producing competent and confident healthcare professionals who can provide quality services to communities. 

"These are not simply assets to be placed in laboratories or classrooms. They are tools that will shape the competence of future nurses, midwives, biomedical scientists, clinical officers and other health professionals," she said. 

She added that the ultimate beneficiaries of the investment would be ordinary Zambians who stand to receive better healthcare from a well-trained workforce. 

"The mothers who experience safer deliveries, the newborns who receive quality care, and the communities that access better diagnosis and treatment are the true beneficiaries of today's investment," she said. 

The donation aligns with Zambia's national development priorities of strengthening human resources for health and improving the quality of healthcare services across the country. 

As the ceremony concluded, both Government and Amref reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration to strengthen health systems, expand access to quality healthcare and ensure that Zambia develops the skilled health workforce needed to meet present and future health challenges. 

The handover marks another milestone in the longstanding partnership between the Ministry of Health and Amref Health Africa, reflecting a shared vision of building stronger institutions, empowering future health professionals and delivering better health outcomes for every Zambian.

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 Airtel Africa Records Strong Growth as Customer Base Climbs to 189 Million

By Alain Kabinda

Airtel Africa has reported strong financial and operational growth for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, driven by continued investment in network infrastructure, digital capabilities, and customer experience.

The telecommunications company Airtel has shown its customer base grew by 11.6 percent to 189 million, reflecting increased demand for connectivity and digital services across its markets.

Airtel Africa attributed the performance to sustained investments aimed at expanding network coverage, improving service quality, and increasing access to digital solutions.

The company recorded significant growth in data usage, with data customers increasing by 15.5 percent to 87.3 million during the quarter. Smartphone penetration also rose by 5.2 percentage points to 51.0 percent, indicating growing adoption of internet-enabled devices among customers.

Financially, Airtel Africa reported a 21.1 percent increase in revenue in constant currency, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 24.4 percent in constant currency.

The company’s result demonstrate the impact of its strategy of investing ahead of demand to support Africa’s rapidly growing digital economy.

During the quarter, Airtel Africa added more than 920 network sites, strengthening its ability to provide reliable connectivity to customers. The company also expanded its fibre network to 82,100 kilometres, enhancing the backbone supporting its digital services.

This Airtel Africa progress reflects the commitment of its employees and partners across the continent.

The company has continued investment in technology and infrastructure remains central to its mission of improving digital access and supporting economic opportunities.

It has also continue to invest ahead of demand, by transforming lives and helping to unlock Africa’s full potential.

The latest performance comes amid increasing demand for mobile internet services, digital financial solutions, and reliable communication networks as African economies accelerate their digital transformation.