Zambia Hosts Historic Opening of the ANMC 2nd Conference in Livingstone
The Second Conference of the African Nurses and Midwives Confederation (ANMC) was officially opened in the tourism capital of Livingstone, bringing together nursing and midwifery leaders, regulators, researchers, educators, and practitioners from across Africa.
The conference, hosted by the Zambia Union of Nurses and Midwives Organisation (ZUNMO), is being held at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort under the theme: “Harmonizing Standards, Elevating Practice: A Unified Approach to Nursing and Midwifery Excellence in Africa.”
The gathering marks a significant milestone for the profession, providing a continental platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic dialogue on strengthening health systems through nursing and midwifery leadership.
The conference was officially opened by Mr. Cornelius Mweetwa, Minister of Health of the Republic of Zambia, who served as Chief Guest of Honour.
In his address, the Minister welcomed delegates from across Africa and commended ANMC for selecting Zambia as host of this important continental meeting. He noted that nurses and midwives remain the backbone of health systems across the continent and are central to achieving Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Minister emphasized the importance of harmonizing nursing and midwifery standards across Africa, strengthening professional leadership, improving education and training, and investing in human resources for health. He also highlighted the need for stronger cross-country collaboration in research, regulatory frameworks, and digital health integration to address Africa’s evolving health challenges.
Reaffirming Zambia’s commitment to advancing the profession, the Government pledged continued support for nursing and midwifery education, regulatory reforms, research, and leadership development within the health sector.
Acting Minister of Health of Zambia
During the ANMC 2nd Conference
Delivering a conference address, José Luis Cobos Serrano, President of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), emphasized the critical role nurses and midwives play in strengthening global health systems and improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Cobos Serrano highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration among African nursing and midwifery professionals, noting that strengthening professional standards, leadership, and innovation will be essential in responding to emerging health challenges.
The keynote address was delivered by Ms. Daphne Shamambo, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at the Ministry of Health in Zambia.
Her presentation focused on the conference theme and underscored the need for a coordinated continental approach to advancing nursing and midwifery practice. She emphasized the importance of research-driven practice, professional development, and the adoption of innovative models of care to improve health outcomes across Africa.
The opening ceremony also featured goodwill messages from key international partners supporting health systems strengthening.
Dr. Clement Lugala Peter, Representative of the World Health Organization in Zambia, commended African nurses and midwives for their commitment to delivering essential health services and reiterated WHO’s support in strengthening workforce capacity and professional standards.
Mr. Dennis Mbithi, representing TruMerit and serving as Vice President of the National Nurses Association of Kenya, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and innovation in advancing nursing leadership and professional excellence across the continent.
Mr. Daniel Oberko, Regional Secretary for Africa and Arab Countries at Public Services International, highlighted the critical role of collective action and solidarity among health workers in strengthening healthcare systems and improving working conditions for nurses and midwives.
Addressing delegates, Mr. Justus Cherop, President of the African Nurses and Midwives Confederation and President of the Ugandan Nurses and Midwives Union, called for stronger collaboration among national associations to harmonize professional standards and promote evidence-based practice across Africa.
He emphasized that partnerships among regulators, professional associations, governments, and development partners are essential in addressing workforce challenges and improving healthcare delivery across the continent.
In welcoming delegates, Mr. Fray Michelo, Secretary General of ANMC and President of ZUNMO, expressed pride in Zambia hosting the conference and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to continental solidarity within the nursing and midwifery profession.
He noted that the conference reflects ANMC’s vision of building a strong, united and influential nursing and midwifery community capable of driving health transformation across Africa.
Mr. Michelo encouraged delegates to use the conference as an opportunity to exchange knowledge, build networks, and develop collaborative solutions that will elevate nursing and midwifery practice across the continent.
Over the course of the conference, delegates will participate in scientific sessions, panel discussions, and abstract presentations covering key thematic areas including:
- Strengthening health systems through nursing and midwifery research
- Maternal and child health care excellence
- Leadership and advocacy in nursing and midwifery
- Digital health and innovation in practice
- Workforce wellbeing, retention, and professional development.
The conference is expected to generate strategic recommendations and partnerships aimed at improving healthcare delivery and strengthening the role of nurses and midwives in Africa’s health systems. As the deliberations continue in Livingstone, the ANMC Conference stands as a testament to the growing unity, leadership, and professional influence of African nurses and midwives in shaping the future of healthcare across the continent.
