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The Ministry of Health has taken another significant step in enhancing Zambia’s healthcare system with the installation of advanced diagnostic equipment at Kabwe Central Hospital. The Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, recently inspected the hospital’s newly installed medical equipment, including a state-of-the-art CT scan machine and an oxygen plant currently under construction.
During his visit, Dr. Lishimpi emphasized the importance of modernizing diagnostic services across public hospitals. A key initiative in this effort is the implementation of a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) to centralize CT scan images nationwide. This system will enable hospitals to transmit scan results to radiologists in Lusaka or Ndola, ensuring reports are generated within 24 hours. He further highlighted the need for hospitals to provide report CDs and seamlessly share both images and reports with doctors, facilitating timely and accurate diagnoses.
The Permanent Secretary commended the rapid progress in equipping healthcare facilities, citing Kabwe Central Hospital’s new CT scan machine as a milestone in Zambia’s medical advancements. He noted that every province now has at least five operational digital X-ray machines, significantly improving radiology services nationwide.
Beyond radiology, the Ministry has also prioritized the installation of ultrasound scanners, with ongoing setups at Chinsali General Hospital, Chipata Central Hospital, and multiple facilities in Southern Province. Additionally, hospital theater upgrades are in progress, with Siavonga District Hospital now equipped with a modern theater, and Livingstone Teaching Hospital completing the installation of two new surgical theaters.
To further strengthen surgical and critical care services, the Ministry has provided new anesthesia machines, theater beds, theater lighting, and other essential medical equipment. These improvements are set to enhance the quality of patient care, boost public confidence in healthcare services, and ensure that medical facilities across Zambia are equipped to handle complex procedures.
The government remains committed to strengthening Zambia’s healthcare infrastructure. Through the deployment of cutting-edge diagnostic tools, the establishment of a national CT scan archive, and continuous upgrades to hospitals, the Ministry of Health is working towards a more efficient, accessible, and high-quality healthcare system for all citizens.
Ministry of Health Zambia
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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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