MISH Hails Government, Partners for a Life-Changing School Health Program
By Bilke Mulenga
The Media Initiative on School Health (MISH) has hailed the Government of Zambia and a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) called Health Learners for their commitments to funding and implementing School Health Programmes (SHP) which are rendering health services to learners in some schools.
The Media Initiative on School Health observes that the school health programmes are enabling learners to access health services when they are unwell while at school and continue learning.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on 11th March 2025, Media Initiative on School Health (MISH) Chairperson Jackson Sitengu stated that his organization has extends its gratitude to the Government for what the Ministries of Health and Education, as well as key stakeholders such as Healthy Learners, for their commitment to funding and implementing the School Health Program (SHP).
Mr Sitengu stated that transformative initiative has already benefited over 1.5 million learners in approximately 700 schools in 10 provinces across the country.
“MISH firmly believes that the school health programme is a progressive initiative poised to positively impact Zambia’s education system.
“With education being a critical tool for poverty eradication and national development, investing in the health of learners is a strategic step toward a brighter future,’’ he said.
Mr Sitengu further pointed out that so far, the school health programme has successfully trained and empowered over 5,000 teachers to manage minor health cases and promote wellness of learners in those schools where this service is being conducted.
He said the program has expanded nationwide, currently operating in all 10 provinces and 30 districts, significantly enhancing school-based health services.
“As part of its first phase, 595 health rooms have been established, with plans to construct 2,500 health rooms across 70 districts and recruiting and training 15,000 school health teachers in the basics of delivering health services by the year 2028,’’ he said.
He said that expansion is expected to benefit over three million learners, which will also contribute to both infrastructure development and improved school health services.
Mr Sitengu has since encouraged Zambians from all walks of life to support this initiative, which provides schools with comprehensive health services.
He highlighted that the initiative includes solar-powered health rooms, essential medication, digitized clinical technology, sanitary towels and furniture.
He said the initiative has strengthened linkages between schools and health facilities, ensuring fast-track referrals and technical support.
“This has led to reduced illness-related absenteeism, decongested clinics and hospitals, and improved health and academic performance among learners,’’ he said.
The health rooms which is an initiative of Healthy Learners where small rooms are being built within the premises of school and have some teachers trained in basic health programmes to enable them treat learners with minor health problems while they are in school.
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