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CELEBRATING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE: LMMU GRADUATES OVER 1,900 HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Levy Mwanawasa Medical University (LMMU) reaffirmed its position as a leading institution in Zambia’s health education sector by hosting its 5th Graduation Ceremony on 8th May 2025. The event celebrated the successful training of over 1,900 health professionals, a landmark achievement not only for the graduates but for the entire nation.
Officiated by the Minister of Health, Dr. Elijah J. Muchima, the ceremony took place at LMMU’s main campus in Lusaka. In his keynote address, Dr. Muchima commended the graduates for their perseverance and dedication, describing them as the backbone of Zambia’s future healthcare system.
“You are now at the frontline of our healthcare system,” he said. “As you embark on your professional journey, carry with you empathy, professionalism, and a deep sense of duty to serve humanity.”
Dr. Muchima reiterated the New Dawn Government’s steadfast commitment to strengthening the health sector through strategic investments in human capital and infrastructure. He noted that since 2022, over 18,000 health workers have been recruited, with an additional 2,000 professionals expected to be hired in 2025.
He emphasized that these initiatives are aligned with Zambia’s Vision 2030, the Eighth National Development Plan, and the National Health Strategic Plan, all aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage and building a resilient, inclusive health system.
The Minister also lauded Levy Mwanawasa Medical University for its outstanding contribution to the training of competent and innovative health professionals, underscoring the institution’s pivotal role in shaping the future of Zambia’s healthcare delivery.
“My Ministry remains committed to supporting educational frameworks that equip our health workers with the knowledge and skills needed to meet emerging health challenges,” Dr. Muchima added.
The ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests and senior officials, including:
• Former Minister of Health, Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, whose continued engagement in the sector reflects his ongoing commitment to national development;
• Professor Roma Chilengi, Director General of the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI), a key figure in shaping public health policy;
• Professor Laston Chikoya, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration at LMMU;
• Mr. Annel C. Bowa, University Registrar, who has overseen the academic journey of the graduating class;
• Directors from the Ministry of Health, representing critical departments involved in policy and service delivery; and
• The Provincial Medical Officer for Lusaka Province, a key stakeholder in regional health implementation.
The Minister also paid tribute to parents and guardians for their sacrifices, as well as the university’s faculty and staff for their tireless work in preparing the graduates for the demands of Zambia’s healthcare system.
“This ceremony is not just a celebration of academic achievement, it is a symbol of national progress and a call to action for all of us to continue building a health system that leaves no one behind.”
Speaking during the ceremony, LMMU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elwyn Chomba, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to producing technically skilled, socially conscious graduates ready to serve across all corners of the nation.
Professor Chomba highlighted LMMU’s practical, comprehensive, and decentralized training model, which includes clinical rotations and hands-on experience in facilities across all ten provinces of Zambia.
“We are reviewing our curricula and redesigning our course content to ensure we meet both present and future health needs of the Zambian people,” she said.
She urged the graduates to uphold the values of professionalism, service, and excellence that define LMMU, and to make a lasting impact on healthcare in Zambia and beyond.
As the ceremony concluded, the atmosphere was filled with joy, pride, and a renewed sense of hope; proof of what can be achieved through vision, dedication, and a shared commitment to health equity.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024. You are the heartbeat of Zambia’s healthcare future.
The Levy Mwanawasa Medical University- SOMCS
By: Georgia M. Chimombo
PPRP/Spokesperson
Ministry of Health
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Lusaka — African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region. At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate. Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths. Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden. To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential. To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access. “PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”. Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services. “This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone. The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego. PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.
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