ZUNMO PARTICIPATES IN REGIONAL MEDICAL OXYGEN ACCESS MEETING IN NAIROBI

The Zambia Union of Nurses and Midwives Organisation (ZUNMO) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare systems through regional collaboration when National Gender Chairperson Vanelle M. Mabumba represented the organisation at the Community Advisory Board (CAB) meeting of the East African Program on Oxygen Access (EAPOA), held in Nairobi, Kenya from 27th to 29th January 2026.

The meeting was convened by PATH as part of a regional initiative aimed at improving access to lifesaving medical oxygen across Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme brings together healthcare stakeholders, technical experts, and frontline professionals to address oxygen supply gaps that directly affect patient survival in emergency, surgical, neonatal, and critical care settings.

ZUNMO’s participation ensured that the voice of frontline nurses and midwives, the primary users and implementers of oxygen therapy, was incorporated into policy, operational, and implementation discussions.

ZUNMO’s participation further emphasised that improving oxygen access is not only a technological issue, but also a workforce and training issue requiring direct engagement of nursing and midwifery professionals.

The CAB meeting formally launched the advisory board as a key partner in the regional programme and provided capacity-building sessions covering technical, programmatic, and operational components of oxygen systems strengthening. Participants also reviewed progress made so far and mapped collaborative actions going forward.

ZUNMO’s inclusion in this high-level regional forum strengthens the organisation’s mandate to advocate for quality patient care and professional practice standards.