ZUNO Calls for measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of nurses working during Cholera Outbreak
Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) has called on the Government to safeguard the health and well-being of nurses taking care of patients in Cholera Centres.
The latest updates by the Ministry of Health indicate increasing new Cholera cases especially in Lusaka, the situation which is no doubt deteriorating and life threatening.
ZUNO General Secretary Mr Fray Michelo in a press statement said that while ZUNO recognises the efforts Government has instituted in trying to mitigate the cholera outbreak, it is important to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to safeguard the health and well-being of nurses.
Mr Michelo noted that ZUNO believes that every nurse has the right to work in a healthy and safe environment without risk of illness resulting from that work.
He said ZUNO is fully aware and appreciate Government efforts to prevent further spread of the disease such as; closure of schools across the country, market places and other identified sources of infection, provision of safe drinking water to people in the affected areas.
” It is however also true that nurses who are essential workers are present 24 hours at all cholera centres, which are a highly risky environment, taking care of patients.” Mr Michelo said adding that nurses have for some time now made a legitimate call on the Government provide them with the privileges of an essential worker.
ZUNO maintained that Safe work environments and decent pay for nurses are essential to deliver quality care and contribute to a strengthened workforce, and has therefore urged the Government to take keen interest in the call for support and appreciation to the nurses who are dedicated to give care to the affected citizens of this country especially in various cholera centres.
ZUNO has further appealed to the Government through the Ministry of Health to ensure all treatment centres have enough medical supplies, appropriate protective clothing and human resource to manage the situation at all times.
The ZUNO General Secretary urged the nurses’ working in cholera centres to remain calm and dedicated to duty while observing all the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of infection and furthered appealed to Zambian citizens to observe high levels of hygiene during this cholera epidemic.
The Cholera epidemic broke out around October 2017 in Lusaka before spreading to other parts of the country claiming the lives of more than 50 people and infected over 2000 people.
ZUNO Hails UNAIDS For 2017 Global World Aids Day theme
The Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) has hailed the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for the 2017 global World Aids Day Theme “Right to Health” saying it underlines the most important component to improving healthcare delivery.
ZUNO General Secretary Mr Fray Michelo maintains that as the world pushes for human rights agenda on health, health care providers especially nurses and midwives should not be left behind, adding that no country can manage to attain the developmental goals if the right to health is neglected.
Mr Michelo stated that while more people are having access to treatment, it should be noted that there are still many more that need to be covered.
“ZUNO therefore commends the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS-UNAIDS for coming up with such a theme.” he stated.
He noted that the World Aids Day theme is in line with the 2017 Nurses Day theme which also stresses on health as a human right.
UNAIDSExecutive DirectorMichel Sidibé in a statement ahead of the 2017 World Aids
Day commemorations on 1st December, highlighted that the right to health means many different things: that no one person has a greater right to health care than anyone else; that there is adequate health-care infrastructure; that health-care services are respectful and non-discriminatory; and that health care must be medically appropriate and of good quality.
But the right to health is more than that—by attaining the right to health, people’s dreams and promises can be fulfilled.
Lukupa Midwife Nursing School opens in Northern Province
Government says the opening of Lukupa Midwife Nursing School in Northern Province will significantly contribute to the reduction of maternal related deaths in the country.
Northern Province Permanent Secretary Jobbicks Kalumba says the Lukupa Midwifery School and many other interventions will serve as
catalysts for improved health care delivery system in the region and beyond.
Dr. Kalumba said this when he officially opened a three months long training for nurses and midwives in maternal neonatal child adolescents health and Nutrition in Kasama today.
The PS noted that the continuing capacity development of nurses in midwifery will ensure optimum reduction of deaths among pregnant mothers and children.
Dr. Kalumba said it is government’s desire to see that no woman or child is lost from maternal health related complications at all levels of health care delivery in the country.
He said government through the Zambia Health Services Improvement Project (ZHSIP) is implementing a 5 year project to improve the maternal health services across the country.
Dr. Kalumba said the project is being piloted in five provinces namely, North-Western, Western, Muchinga, Luapula and Northern.
He said in 2014 government obtained a 52.2 US dollar loan from the World Bank aimed at enhancing the health care delivery system especially in maternal and child health in the country.
The PS has also commended the ministry of health staff in the region for their unwavering commitment towards the provision of health services to various communities in the province.
And Provincial Health Director Kennedy Chibwe thanked government and other cooperating partners for their continued support to the health sector.
The training workshop has drawn hundred and fifty nine (159) participants from three provinces namely Northern, Muchinga .
– Lusaka Times
Macha School of Nursing Upgraded
THE General Nursing Council has upgraded Choma’s Macha School of Nursing to a Registered School of Nursing.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, who announced the upgrading of the institution at the weekend in Macha area in Mbabala Constituency of Choma, described the institution as rare feet, which had contributed to saving thousands of lives through the human capital trained at the school.
“We have upgraded the old Macha to the Registered School of Nursing. It will this year in July enroll the first intake.
“This was a happy moment for me, pronouncing the institution from Zambia Enrolled School to a Registered School of Nursing. This institution has trained so many nurses where thousands of lives have been saved through the human capital trained here, this institution is a rare feat,” Dr Chilufya said.
Dr Chilufya said the Government had also embarked on infrastructure development at the institution and spent K1.2 million on the construction of the dining hall and a skills lab.
The minister was also taken on a tour of the School, Hospital and also toured Macha Research Institute, which were all run by the Brethren in Christ Church.
Macha Mission Hospital acting medical superintendent John Spurrier said the hospital had been able to record a number of successes in disease reduction because of community involvement.
Dr Spurrier said through working with the community about 70,000 people in the area all underwent HIV/AIDS tests.
He commended the Government for its efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“The people in the community are willing to be tested. Last year we tested 70,000, this is so because of the relationships that we have developed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Government has found a partner to rehabilitate the old wing of the Choma General Hospital.
Dr Chilufya said the old hospital wing, which was earlier earmarked for demolition would now instead undergo rehabilitation.
“I would like to inform you that the old hospital will be rehabilitated, we have found a partner who is willing to renovate the old structure,” Dr Chilufya said.
– Times of Zambia
Low number of midwives worrying
KITWE School of Nursing, Midwifery and Theatre principal nursing education officer Mavis Chingezhi says the enrolment levels for the midwifery programme are on the decline as most registered nurses are opting for a degree in nursing instead of specialising.
Ms Chingezhi said the trend is worrying because it has the potential to reverse the strides the country has made so far in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
The school is considering adopting the non-quota system practised by universities where first year students are enrolled in a particular school and later admitted into specific programmes depending on the number of points they make.
In the past, the school could enrol up to 60 students for the midwifery programme that runs for one year but in the past two years, numbers have been dwindling, with very few people collecting enrolment forms for the January 2018 intake so far.
“Last year we had 45 students, this year we have 42. I don’t know what will happen next year. I am worried because at the moment we are selling forms but only one has been sold so far,” Ms Chingezhi says.
And Ms Chingezhi said the school is soon expected to introduce a new programme in public health nursing.
The Ministry of Health has nominated the Kitwe School of Nursing, Midwifery and Theatre to pioneer a programme in public health nursing focusing on disease prevention and promotion of health.
Ms Chingezhi said the school is prepared to offer the programme that is expected to start around June – July this year after the General Nursing Council gives a go-ahead on whether or not the school has the capacity to offer the programme.
The Kitwe School of Nursing, Midwifery and Theatre is this September expected to graduate its first batch of registered nurses that have pursued their studies via e-learning.
Ms Chingezhi says the school also needs a bigger bus for its 420 students.
– Zambia Daily Mail
All 1,600 recently recruited nurses and health workers to be paid
GOVERNMENT has called for calm and assured that all the 1,600 nurses and health workers who were recently recruited will soon be put on the payroll to bring the matter to rest.
Ministry of Health Director Health, Promotion and Determinants Kennedy Malama further revealed that all the Human Resource Officers (HRO) from all provinces have since been summoned to Lusaka for a meeting at the Payroll and Management Establishment and Control System (PMECS) to discuss and conclude the matter.
Dr Malama in an interview yesterday said 1,600 workers were affected but was happy that the issue which was being handled administratively was almost concluded and reaffirmed Government’s commitment to bringing the matter to a close.
Dr Malama said of the 7,400 staff only 1,600 were remaining and assured that the matter would soon be concluded and that the ministry was working towards closing the chapter.
“I would like to state that the issue of some of our staff not being on the payroll was receiving attention and as I speak all the HRO who are key in this matter have been summoned to Lusaka to conclude the matter, ”he said.
He paid tribute to the workers for their commitment to duty and that the issue was not meant to punish them.
Zambia Union of Nurses Organization (ZUNO) chairperson Ernest Mumba said the union was disappointed that over 300 members on the Copperbelt were not on the payroll and had been made to work without pay and that it has continue to engage the Government.
Meanwhile, today’s celebration of nurses day has been postponed to a date to be announced due to the national mourning of freedom fighter Salome Kapwepwe.
– Lusaka Times