Zambia: Training competent health professionals

Zambia lacks well-trained health workers

Zambia's population is growing rapidly. The United Nations estimates that the current population of 17 million will more than double to 41 million by 2050. Population growth poses enormous challenges for the health system.

Key Facts

Project Goal

Train Medical Licentiates and improve the overall quality of the training programme
Target Groups

ML students, Chainama College of Health Sciences, training hospitals and the population
Milestones

Practical training is improved, high success rate among graduates

Key Facts

Zambia

The project in a nutshell

SolidarMed helps train Medical Licentiates and so counteracts the drastic shortage of skilled health workers. The focus lies on their practical training. After completing their training, Medical Licentiates take over the management of a health centre in rural Zambia. This initiative is instrumental in equipping the country for the enormous challenges the health sector faces now and in future.

Despite considerable economic growth and investment in recent years, the lives of most Zambians have not changed. Two thirds still live in extreme poverty and survive on less than US$1.25 per day. Less than 60% of all positions in the health sector are currently filled. Zambia launched the Medical Licentiates training programme as a response to the acute shortage of health workers. This programme has been running successfully for many years.

Two nursing students in the new skills lab in Mpansyha.

_{The theoretical training of nurses and midwives is being reorganised in order to improve the quality of the training.}

Before graduation: newborn care in Katondwe

Mother and daughter at the hospital in Kafue, south of the capital Lusaka. The WHO calculates that each nurse cares for 1,000 patients a year.

SolidarMed supports Zambia in improving the quality of the training programme. The focus lies on training and capacity building of the instructors at Chainama College of Health Sciences, which is responsible for training the Medical Licentiates. The instructors are trained in methods, didactics and different teaching tools to make the lessons more student-friendly and to meet the requirements of the government.

E-learning methodologies and classrooms in which students can practice their skills under real conditions contribute to the success of this dual training course. SolidarMed supports the health centres and hospitals in providing the necessary infrastructure for the training of Medical Licentiates. In the long-term, these competent specialists benefit not only the health system, but most importantly the approximately 10 million people in rural Zambia.

An English documentary by Minding the Gap highlights the profession of Medical Licentiates, SolidarMed's involvement, and the impact of the project on the Zambian health care system. The film also describes the main challenges associated with the profession. Watch the trailer of the film here.

«SolidarMed has supported the training of Medical Licentiates in Zambia since 2009. Since then, the number of graduates has tripled. Medical Licentiates are crucial for health care in rural areas.»

Ruth Ospelt, Vice President of SolidarMed

Your donation helps

With your valuable donation, we can train competent health workers and help end the severe shortage of health professionals in southern Africa. This means sustainable and better health care services for the rural population. Many thanks!

Antenatal care for 10 expectant mothers _CHF50

e.g. training in obstetric care _CHF70

For life-saving caesarean sections, e.g. _CHF120