Minister of Health Elijah Muchima says the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) has recorded a significant drop in the number of inpatients dying from stroke within a year of establishing the first Stroke Unit in the country, at the institution. 

He says the achievement is evidence of the government’s commitment to improving health care through investment in specialised care and training of staff. 

ZANIS reports that Dr Muchima said this in a speech read for him by the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary in charge of Technical Services, Kennedy Lishimpi during the official opening of the African Stroke Organisation (ASO) Conference at UTH. 

The Minister underscored the importance of stakeholder collaboration in strengthening stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment. 

He added that the ASO conference provides an opportunity for such partnerships among the participating countries. 

“We know that the health of our nation and continent depends on our collective ability to address non-communicable diseases like stroke with the urgency and resources they require.

Therefore, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that enhance our healthcare infrastructure, expand our training programmes, as well as promote public awareness about stroke prevention and early intervention.” The Minister assured. 

Dr Muchima noted that Zambia is currently hosting the fourth annual African Stroke Organisation Conference for 2024 under the theme ‘Controlling the Burden of Stroke: Gateway to Reducing the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases. 

The conference has attracted participation from delegates within Africa and beyond, who include medical experts in neurology, Psychiatry and Researchers, among others. 

Speaking at the same event, University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Medicine Dean Evans Mpabalwani said the institution is committed to the advancement of training for specialists in stroke care. 

Professor Mpabalwani who was represented by UNZA Assistant Dean for Research Violet Kayamba disclosed that since introducing the first master’s programme in the field, UNZA has been engaged in the formulation of guidelines for the field. 

Meanwhile, ASO CO-Chairperson Mehari Gebreyohanns said Zambia was chosen to host the conference this year due to the country’s accomplishment in stroke management. 

Dr Gebreyohanns noted that Zambia has highly qualified neurologists and has continued to attract international student training in the profession. 

He added that UTH has also been producing high impact research in neurology and has established a stroke unit which has led to improved patient care.