Zambia has intensified efforts to strengthen mental health services by expanding capacity building programs for strategic health workers. The initiative targets nurses and midwives drawn from major hospitals and nursing colleges across the country. This approach aims to equip frontline health professionals with the skills needed to integrate mental health care into broader health services.
Currently, 30 participants from Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, Copperbelt, and North Western Provinces are attending an intensive training program hosted in Kabwe Central Province. The program focuses on enhancing knowledge and practical skills in mental health care, ensuring that participants are better prepared to identify, manage, and refer patients with mental health conditions.
The training is supported by the World Bank’s HEPRR MPA project, which backs efforts to improve health systems and strengthen the integration of mental health services at all levels of care. By targeting nurses and midwives, who often serve as primary points of contact for patients, the program ensures that mental health considerations are embedded into routine health care delivery.
Officials note that building capacity among strategic health workers is a critical step toward improving access to mental health services nationwide. The program emphasizes evidence-based practices, patient-centered care, and collaboration across health departments to create a more responsive and resilient health system.
As Zambia continues to integrate mental health into its health sector, initiatives like this training program demonstrate a commitment to improving the overall well-being of citizens. Strengthened skills among nurses and midwives will contribute to early detection, better treatment, and effective support for individuals living with mental health conditions, ultimately enhancing public health outcomes across the nation.