(c)zunoZUNO Continues to supplement Governments Efforts in Covid-19 fight
ZUNO has donated one thousand six hundred (1600) respirators and two sets of fit test kits towards the COVID-19 fight at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital and University Teaching Hospital’s Chest Clinic.
The donated items valued at Four Thousand and Fifty Two United States Dollars ($4,052) are in an effort to enhance COVID 19 infection prevention and control among nurses and midwives working at the two health facilities.
ZUNO president Mrs. Tisa Chiponda explained that the donation was sourced from the International Council of Nurses (ICN) through the ICN TB/MDR-TB project with the support of the United Way Worldwide on behalf of the Lilly Foundation.
Mrs Chiponda reiterated that this is not the first time ZUNO was supporting Ministry in the fight against COVID-19, saying that ZUNO hopes to continue to work with its partners to source for the much needed PPEs as well as collaborate with the Ministry of Health in ensuring there is prevention, reduction or elimination of risks to the health and safety of nurses and midwives in their service to this nation.
The ICN TB/MDR-TB project, which helped build nursing capacity in the prevention, care and treatment of TB, came to an end in 2020, after 15 successful years, during which it vastly expanded the capacity of the nursing workforce to prevent the spread of TB and provide care and treatment for people with Tuberculosis.
ZUNO is a member of the ICN, which is a global body that promotes the wellbeing of nurses for the advancement of the nursing profession.
Ministry of HealthZUNO 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.