ZUNO Urges Government to Ensure Nurses and Midwives Wellbeing is Supported and Protected as the Country Records First Cases of COVID 19
The Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) General Secretary Mr. Fray Michelo has urged Government through the Ministry of Health to ensure that all nurses and midwives are adequately prepared to handle patients with COVID 19, as members of the health team.
Mr. Michelo said that as the country prepares to support people who may be affected by the virus, there is also strong need to support and protect the staff caring for them.
“We would not want to witness what has happened in some countries where nurses are over-stressed and their physical and psychological wellbeing compromised”, he said
He added the Ministry of Health should ensure that there is availability of personal protective equipment for nurses and midwives that will be working in close contact with infected patients.
Mr. Michelo noted with sadness that the country has recorded its first two confirmed cases of COVID 19, but remains positive that the country will manage, considering the fact that Government has employed a multi-sectoral approach to handling the novel infection believed to be caused by the coronavirus.
He was further pleased that Government has announced that it will also be intensifying screening, restricting public gatherings and employing the social distancing strategy, as a way of curbing easy spread of the communicable diseases.
He however expressed concern about the country’s boarders that remain open. “Although restriction has been imposed on all foreign travel, we feel it would be best to keep the infection at bay as much as possible by closing borders with countries that considered high risk” he added.
ZUNO Defends Security of Nurses and Midwives Following Gassing Incidents & Attacks on Health Workers
Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation General Secretary Mr. Fray Michelo has pressed authorities to put the protection and security of Nurses and Midwives as a priority and heighten security in health facilities after reported attacks on Nurses and Midwives by the members of the community.
The attacks have come in the wake of riots against coordinated gas attacks that have triggered irrational mob attacks on suspects.
The most recent attack was on a nurse in Luwingu district who was stabbed as he attempted to rescue an old woman from mob that accused her of harboring a person believed to be involved in the gassing of people in the area. The live saver ended up fighting for his life in Intensive Care Unit at Kasama General Hospital where he is admitted.
“ZUNO is extremely troubled by this incident.” He said, adding that Nurses and Midwives who are tirelessly working under difficult conditions saving lives have been put on the negative spotlight as rumors continue to spread that they are aiding those involved in the vice.
“These men and women serving the country 24 hours a day risking their lives in an effort to save members of the community are now being attacked by the very people they are trying to save.” Mr. Michelo further stated.
He further urged the Ministry of Health and its stakeholders to consider suspending any community activities outside the health facilities, likely to make Nurses and Midwives targets of attacks until the situation normalizes and sufficient community engagement is done.
Mr. Michelo reaffirmed ZUNO’s commitment and resolve to protect the well-being of our members warning that if such attacks continue, ZUNO will be left with no choice but advise its members to leave the duty stations as they cannot work effectively when their lives are under threat.
ZUNO Successfully Holds 3rd Quadrennial Conference and 57th National Assembly Ushering in New NEC
ZUNO successfully held its 3rd Quadrennial Conference and 57th National Assembly on 12 and 13 December 2019 at Andrews Motel in Lusaka where an initial nine (09) member National Executive Committee (NEC) was ushered into office to serve for four (04) years.Two (02) National Trustees will be appointed by the new NEC in accordance with the ZUNO Constitution thereby forming a full eleven member NEC.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Hon. Joyce Simukoko graced the event that was held under the theme Nurses and Midwives: A Voice to Lead through Quality Healthcare.
In addressing over 200 delegates who were in attendance from across Zambia, the minister stated that the nursing and midwifery profession needs a trade union leadership that is vibrant, selfless and innovative in order to help address the challenges in the health sector.
She commended ZUNO for the role it continues to play in the striving to improve members’ welfare and implored ZUNO to intensify worker education activities stating that not all members understand the recognition and collective agreements signed between ZUNO and employers.
The minister further applauded ZUNO for adhering to the provisions enshrined in the Industrial and Labour Relations Act Cap 269 of the laws of Zambia, and observing the provisions of the ZUNO Constitution.
Speaking earlier Zambia Congress of Trade Unions Deputy Secretary General, Mr Elaston Njovu pledged continued support to the union, and urged ZUNO to continue working closely with relevant stakeholders in pursuit of its mandate.
And ZUNO President Mrs Tisa Chiponda noted that enhancing human development comes from having a healthy population adding that there is a strong link between health and socio-economic progress.
ZUNO NEC 2020- 2023
During the two day conference Mrs. Tisa Chiponda was re-elected as ZUNO President, a position which she held for over a year after taking over from Mr Liseli Sitali.
Other elected National Executive Council Members were;
Mr. Golden Mtonga-Vice President Professional Affairs (Formerly Eastern Province Chairperson)
Mr Martin Muloongo-Vice President Labour Affairs (Formerly Deputy General Secretary Operations & Organisation)
Mr. Fray Michelo- General Secretary (retained position),
Mr. Alfred Mulenga -Deputy General Secretary Operations & Organisation (From Northern Province)
Mr. Ernest Mumba- General Secretary for Finance and Administration (formerly Copperbelt Province Chairperson)
Ms Grace Mwandila- National Chairperson Gender Affairs- (from Lusaka Trust hospital) National Trustees Mrs Judith Kaingu (retained position) and Mr Gibson Kabombo (formerly Southern Province Chairperson).
ZUNO calls for strengthened united front in raising public awareness on the impact of TB
The Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) General Secretary Fray Michelo has called for a strengthened united front in raising public awareness on the impact of Tuberculosis (TB)
In a statement to commemorate the 2019 World TB Day Mr Michelo, noted that TB continues to be a major public health problem in Zambia and the world over.
Mr Michelo stated that without proper attention, patients with TB can go undiagnosed and untreated resulting in spread of the disease and the development of Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). He stated that as an organisation that seeks the highest level of professionalism and integrity in the delivery of health care services to the community ZUNO has noted with concern the existing knowledge gaps on TB/MDR-TB among healthcare workers, poor management of patients on TB treatment and poor infection control which are enemies in the fight against TB.
Mr Michelo said it is an undeniable fact that TB has a devastating impact on the health, social and economic aspects of life adding that nurses are better placed to influence prevention and management of TB in communities and workplaces.
“Our practice as nurses entails that we are in close contact with our patients 24 hours a day, making us better placed to detect, diagnose, and treat TB cases” he noted. The 2019 World TB Day is being commemorated under the global theme: “It’s Time” and localised “It is Time to Kick Out TB” which is a call to action to fight TB at individual, national and global levels.
ZUNO Launches CPD Modules for Nurses and Midwives
On 21st February 2019, ZUNO launched the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules for nurses and midwives to ensure expanded opportunities to pursue and achieve professional and career growth.
Speaking during the launch of the CPD modules, at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka, ZUNO President Mrs. Tisa Chiponda has noted that the scope of CPD modules has been determined by national health priorities as well as identified individuals` learning needs.
Sixteen modules have been developed in the areas of; Maternal Health, Nursing Skills, Child Health, Wellness for Nurses and Midwives and Surgical Safety.
Mrs. Chiponda further stressed that development and implementation of ZUNO CPD activities is part of the organisations’ a five year strategic Plan from 2018-2022.
And Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Malama urged nurses and midwives to be dynamic and ensure that they embrace change.
He stated that CPD enhances knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes, which are currently topical in the healthcare system.
ECSACON Successfully Holds 6th Quadrennial General Meeting and 13th Scientific Conference as Zambia scoops the Vice Presidency …
Nursing And Midwifery Professionals Gathered in Nairobi, Kenya from 5th-7th September 2018 under the auspices of the East Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing (ECSACON). The theme of the conference was “Nurses and Midwives responding to global agenda on sustainable development goals and universal health coverage”.
The theme sent the message to remind everyone that nurses and midwives form the bedrock of any health system, constituting over half of the health workforce.
Without strong health systems it would be difficult if not impossible to attain Universal Health Coverage. The conference discussed some of the best practices from the Nurses and Midwives’ fraternity which includes Quality and affordable Maternal, New-born and Child Health Services; Access to Health Care including GBV services and SRHR among the Youth; Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Development to achieve HRH2030 Agenda; Innovations in preparing competent, skilled and motivated Nurses & Midwives; Nursing and Midwifery workforce preparedness to respond to Global Calls, Challenges and/or Disasters; Prioritizing Communicable and NCDs including Mental Health and Nutrition.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Director of Health Systems and Innovation, Dr. Ruediger Krech, gave the key note speech on behalf of the WHO Director General.
For the first time, fourteen abstracts from Zambia were accepted for presentation during the conference
Office bearers for the year 2019 to 2022 term of office were also elected who included Ms Keoagtse Kgwabi from Botswana as ECSACON President and Mrs Theresa Sikateyo from Zambia as ECSACON Vice president.
Other highlights for Zambia were Mrs Priscar Mukonka taking up the position of Country National Representative and Ms Biemba Maliti as treasurer for the faculty of clinical practice at regional level.
Twenty three (23) nurses and midwives from Zambia attended the meeting including a student Ms Mukuka Makombe from Chikankata Mission Hospital sponsored by ZUNO to represent the Zambia at the African Regional Young Nurses Meeting alongside the ECSACON Quadrennial conference.