25/07/2025
Zambia Medical Association Launches the Medical Education Indaba Report!
The Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) has officially launched the Medical Education Indaba Report and Recommendations at a high-level event held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka.
This follows the successful Medical Education Indaba convened on 10th April 2024, which brought together medical educators, regulators, practitioners, and policymakers to address the growing concern of declining standards in medical training across Zambia.
The Indaba resulted in key recommendations aimed at:
✅ Enhancing the quality and consistency of medical training.
✅ Strengthening ethical standards and regulatory oversight.
✅ Driving policy reforms to uphold professionalism and excellence in healthcare education.
ZMA President, Dr. Kaumba Roy Tolopu, delivered a powerful message during the launch, warning that falling standards driven by overcrowded, under-resourced institutions and commercialization are putting lives at risk. He called for accountability and urgent reform, emphasizing that the profession must remain rooted in rigorous training and ethics.
The report was officially launched by Ministry of Health Zambia Permanent Secretary- technicalservices Dr Kennedy Lishimpi, and was well received by dignitaries including:
Dr Muhumpu Kafwamfwa, Deputy Registrar – Health Professions Council of Zambia - HPCZ, Mrs. Sepiso Simate Mumbi – Higher Education Authority, Mr. Maybin Luulu – Ministry of Education; Dr. Oliver Kaoma, Secretary General – ZMA, Dr. Innocent Ngwira, Chairperson – ZMA Ethics and Professional Conduct Board; Dr. Joyce Sakala, President – Medical Women Association of Zambia; Dr. Paul Chibwe, President – Resident Doctors Association of Zambia, Mr. Felix Swaba, President – Zambia Medical Students Zambia Medical Student Association - ZAMSA along with representatives from both public and private universities.
Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Health (Technical Services) commended ZMA’s leadership on this initiative and welcomed the report’s timely, evidence-based recommendations.
This launch marks a bold step toward transforming Zambia’s medical training system and ensuring the country produces well-equipped, ethical, and globally competitive healthcare professionals.
Let’s work together for a stronger healthcare future rooted in quality education, ethical leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence.