The Ministry of Health, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a three-day training programme focused on Community-Based Volunteers Masterlist Management and Maintenance in Kabwe, Central Province. The training runs from 8th to 10th June 2026 and forms part of a wider national effort to strengthen community health systems across Zambia. It brings attention to the growing need for accurate and reliable data in the management of community health programmes. Health authorities continue to rely on community-based volunteers to extend essential services to hard-to-reach populations. This initiative aims to improve how these volunteers are recorded, tracked, and supported through better information systems.
The training has gathered key technical personnel from different levels of the health system, including Provincial Community Health Focal Point Persons, District Community Health Focal Point Persons, Provincial ICT Officers, and District Information Officers. These participants play a central role in managing health data and supporting service delivery at both provincial and district levels. The programme focuses on equipping them with practical skills to manage, update, and maintain the Community-Based Volunteers Masterlist effectively. It also emphasizes consistency in data handling so that all districts follow the same standards when recording volunteer information. This approach is expected to reduce gaps and duplication in records while improving coordination across regions.
A major goal of the training is to improve the quality, accuracy, and accessibility of community health data in Zambia. Reliable data is critical for planning health interventions, allocating resources, and measuring the impact of community programmes. With a well-maintained masterlist, health authorities will be able to deploy community-based volunteers more efficiently based on real needs in different areas. This will also support faster response times in underserved communities where access to health facilities is limited. The improved system is expected to strengthen evidence-based decision-making at both district and national levels, ensuring that planning is guided by accurate and up-to-date information.
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Health and UNICEF reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening primary healthcare services and improving outcomes at community level. The focus on data-driven systems reflects a broader effort to make health services more responsive and better organized across the country. Community-based volunteers remain a key link between health facilities and households, especially in rural and remote areas. By investing in training and system improvements, the programme aims to enhance the efficiency and reliability of these networks. The initiative supports a long-term vision of delivering consistent, people-centred healthcare that reaches every community in Zambia.