Zambia has called for stronger cross-border collaboration to address pressing health challenges across Africa, emphasizing that sustainable healthcare solutions cannot be confined within national boundaries. Acting Minister of Health, Cornelius Mweetwa, MP, made these remarks while speaking at the Regional Nursing and Midwifery Conference in Livingstone. He highlighted that Africa’s health concerns transcend borders and require coordinated, unified responses that ensure equitable access to healthcare for all citizens. Minister Mweetwa stressed that innovative, regionally aligned strategies are essential to meet the continent’s growing healthcare demands. The conference provides an important platform to discuss collaborative approaches and to develop actionable solutions that can improve patient outcomes across multiple countries.
The Regional Nursing and Midwifery Conference, organized by the African Nurses and Midwives Confederation, is designed to foster cross-country learning and policy harmonization among healthcare professionals. Key areas of focus include standardizing professional competencies, promoting collaborative research, developing exchange programs, and integrating digital health technologies across member states. Participants are encouraged to share experiences, best practices, and strategies that can strengthen healthcare delivery. Health sector leaders emphasized the need for collective efforts to build resilient systems capable of responding to pandemics, chronic diseases, and other emerging health threats. The event underscores the critical role of nurses and midwives as frontline providers in achieving sustainable health outcomes.
Over 200 delegates are attending the conference in Zambia, including more than 60 international participants from across Africa and beyond. The gathering provides an opportunity for networking, partnership building, and knowledge exchange among healthcare professionals. Minister Mweetwa urged attendees to leave the conference with concrete resolutions and measurable action plans that can be implemented within their respective countries. He commended the African Nurses and Midwives Confederation for facilitating dialogue and collaboration while recognizing the contributions of cooperating partners, sponsors, and the local organizing committee in ensuring the event’s success. Zambia’s hospitality and rich cultural heritage further enhance the conference experience, providing a conducive environment for professional engagement and learning.
The conference is expected to strengthen regional networks and reinforce Africa’s collective commitment to building inclusive and resilient health systems. By promoting cross-border cooperation, standardizing professional practices, and embracing digital innovations, participating countries can improve service delivery and patient care. Delegates are encouraged to translate discussions into concrete initiatives that address both systemic challenges and localized healthcare needs. The event also highlights the importance of ongoing investment in training, research, and capacity-building to support nurses and midwives as critical actors in healthcare. Zambia’s leadership in hosting this conference demonstrates its dedication to fostering regional collaboration and advancing the continent’s health agenda.
The Regional Nursing and Midwifery Conference in Livingstone represents a significant step toward unified action in addressing Africa’s health challenges. Zambia’s advocacy for cross-border collaboration emphasizes the need for shared responsibility, knowledge exchange, and innovative strategies in building stronger healthcare systems. Minister Mweetwa’s call for regional alignment reflects the understanding that sustainable health outcomes depend on cooperation among nations, professional networks, and international partners. The conference is poised to leave a lasting impact by strengthening professional ties, promoting policy harmonization, and empowering nurses and midwives to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s health development. Through such initiatives, the continent moves closer to achieving equitable, resilient, and inclusive healthcare for all.