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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