ZUNO Calls for Immediate Investigation into the Procurement of defective Medical Supplies, Welcomes Appointment of new Minister of Health

The Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) has called for an immediate investigation into the procurement and authorisation to distribute alleged defective essential drugs and medical supplies in the country. 

ZUNO Secretary General Mr. Fray Michelo, stated that while ZUNO has taken note of the dismissal of the Dr Chitalu Chilufya as the Minister of Health, the organisation has also noted that the Republican President did not forward the reasons for his dismissal thereby leaving room for speculation. 

“There is currently an assumption that Dr. Chilufya’s dismissal is linked to the procurement and authorisation to distribute alleged defective essential drugs and medical supplies and as long as it is not clearly stated, it will remain just that, an assumption.” he said.

Mr Michelo further stated that in as much as ZUNO supports the idea of recalling the defective items, it is not enough as the supplies have been in distribution and utilisation since September 2020.

He urged the Government to immediately investigate the matter further and move in to replace the defective supplies with proper and adequate supplies, as it was a matter of public health and safety. 

Furthermore, ZUNO has welcomed the appointment of Dr.  Jonas Chanda as Minister of Health. “We believe Dr.  Chanda is no stranger to the health sector and therefore we do not need to remind him that the Ministry of Health is a complex yet vital Ministry charged with a responsibility of safeguarding the health of the nation.” Mr. Michelo said.  

ZUNO Calls for More Investment in Nursing, As Country Commemorates IND

Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) President, Mrs Tisa Chiponda, has reiterated the need for more investment in nursing as the country commemorates International Nurses Day amidst the fight against COVID 19.

Mrs Chiponda said government must invest in the nursing workforce as nurses make a central contribution to national and global targets related to a range of health priorities, including Universal Health Coverage adding that investment should adequately cover nursing education, recruitment and retention.

She further commended nurses for their effort in the fight against COVID 19, the disease that has so far caused an unprecedented global health crisis rendering nurses who are at the forefront of patient care delivery vulnerable to getting infected in the process.

 “I do understand this is not yet over but for your commitment and manner you have arisen to the challenge is commendable. It is also testimony that nurses are a voice to lead and are nursing the world to health. ” she said

Mrs Chiponda said this in her address delivered on the occasion of the 2020 International Nurses Day virtual commemoration via Zoom with the Ministry of Health, General Nursing Council of Zambia and some nurses representing all the ten provinces of Zambia.

She noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaration of the year 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife should be regarded as an opportunity to make a step change in how nursing is regarded and advocate for the hard investment in nursing that we want to see.

She stated the image of nursing is being affected by several factors that include; nursing shortage, unfavourable working conditions, and low salaries, which need to be urgently addressed.

This year’s International Nurses Day commemoration is under the theme Nurses: A Voice To Lead Nursing The World To Health as the global nursing community also celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale whose nursing skills intersected with a broader set of interests in public health, advancement of medicine, hygiene, epidemiology, statistics and military health.

The virtual commemoration in Zambia was unusual. IND celebrations in Zambia are usually characterized by huge gatherings and celebrations across the country. The virtual commemoration had been necessitated by COVID 19 a disease caused by the coronavirus. Authorities have banned public gatherings as a public health measure in an effort to reduce or possibly stop the spread of COVID 19.

ZUNO President Encourages Nurses and Midwives ahead of IND & IDM Commemorations in Month of May-As COVID 19 fight Continues

Dear colleagues,

The month of May has for many years been and continues to be a special month for Nurses and Midwives worldwide. As you may be aware the World Health Assembly saw it fit to have the year 2020 set apart as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. This declaration presents as an opportunity for the world to join us in celebrating the work that we do as well as an opportunity to raise awareness about the status of nursing and midwifery. It is also an opportunity to highlight the challenging conditions we often face on a daily basis and the themes to commemorate both days reflect this.

The International Day of the Midwife 2020 theme is Midwives with women: celebrate, demonstrate, mobilise, unite-our time is NOW! While the International Nurses’ Day theme is Nurses: A Voice To Lead Nursing The World To Health.

The COVID-19 disease caused by the new Coronavirus has not spared any health system on earth forcing us to postpone the official commemoration of these important days.  Other countries have opted to mark these important days without large gatherings or in-person events for the first time. 

However, COVID-19 has at the same time put a brighter spotlight on our professions revealing the irreplaceable work that we do.

In an effort to alleviate pain and bring healing, we had found ourselves risking our lives and at times contracting the very disease we were trying to protect our patients from. Although some people outside our professions witnessed this for the first time and it made headlines, for us it is nothing new. We face very real personal risks every day we report for work. But this does not in any way erode the pride we have for our professions because we fully understand that our role is that of service to humanity. I urge you all to be confident in protecting yourselves at the same time providing the best care to your patients.

We hope that going forward, as the nation and the entire world we will come up with health goals, everyone will remember that nurses and midwives are fundamental in ensuring improved health responses.  This is why ZUNO continues to demand for an enabling environment to ensure nurses and midwives deliver quality health care. It is the reason we maintain that government must invest in all areas of nursing and midwifery workforce development if any progress is to be achieved.

We are also maintaining our stance that government continue supporting us during this pandemic ensuring that the Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) reach every nurse and midwife.

On behalf of the Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO), I urge you to stay committed in ensuring that quality health services are accessible to the people we serve. Furthermore let us join hands as we celebrate the role we play in the nation’s health system at all levels not just today but always.

Tisa M. Chiponda,

ZUNO President