The Ministry of Defence, through the Defence Force Medical Services, has commenced the process of upgrading the Defence School of Health Sciences into a University College. This initiative is driven by the increasing demand for student enrollment from both local and international applicants.
Located in Emmasdale, the institution currently enrolls both military personnel and civilians, with a student population of 553. It offers a range of diploma and certificate programs in health-related fields, including Registered Nursing, HIV Nurse Practitioner, Environmental Health Technology (EHT), Clinical Officer General (CoG), and Military Medicine. To further expand its course portfolio, the school is set to introduce a diploma in Midwifery in July this year.
As part of its transition to a University College, the Defence School of Health Sciences is constructing a new campus in the Twin Palm area of Lusaka, with construction already at an advanced stage.
Speaking during a visit by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Military Health Services Working Group Troika, Brigadier General Simon Tembo, who represented the Defence School of Health Sciences Commandant Brig Gen Mwinga Sheyo, stated that once the institution attains University College status, it will introduce Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery as well as Bachelor of Nursing programs.
Brig Gen Tembo further revealed that the institution has initiated an exchange program with the South African National Defence Force through the Joint Defence Committee agreements. This collaboration will facilitate student and faculty exchanges between the two countries. Additionally, the Botswana Defence Force has expressed interest in having its officers trained at the institution.
Since 2018, when the Ministry of Defence allowed civilians to enroll at the school, the institution has witnessed a surge in non-military applicants due to the high-quality training it offers. Brig Gen Tembo noted that the long-term vision is to further upgrade the institution into a full-fledged university that will offer additional bachelor’s degree programs and enhance its research capabilities.
Chief of Medical Services in the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, Major General Amri Mwami, also expressed interest in upgrading Tanzania’s military health college to a university. He emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing between Zambian and Tanzanian military medical personnel and called for exchange visits to strengthen collaboration.
During his tour of the Maina Soko Medical Center, Maj Gen Mwami commended the facility’s management for their dedication in providing essential healthcare services to both the military and the general public.
Meanwhile, Maina Soko Medical Center Commandant Brigadier General Levy Muchemwa reaffirmed the facility’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare services.
Maj Gen Mwami, who was the outgoing SADC Military Health Working Group Troika Chairman, officially handed over the chairmanship to Brigadier General Jackson Kasela of Zambia at the 2024 Annual General Meeting. Brig Gen Kasela will, in turn, pass on the leadership to Zimbabwe Defence Force Director General Medical Services, Brigadier General Godfrey Mutetse, at the 2025 Annual General Meeting.
The planned upgrade of the Defence School of Health Sciences marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s healthcare and military training sector, positioning the institution as a center of excellence in medical education and research.