Pendleton Childrens Clinic

30/01/2026

Last weekend, Dr Marsden had the privilege of chairing the Extraordinary Annual General Meeting of the Zambia Association of Private Hospitals (ZAPH).

The meeting marked an important step forward for the Association, with two key outcomes:

1. The ZAPH Constitution was reviewed and updated to reflect changing times and align with international best practice.
2. A new Executive Committee (ExCom) was elected.

We congratulate the newly elected ExCom, led by President Dr Colin West, Medical Director, Medland Hospital, and look forward to the team steering ZAPH to even greater heights as the Association continues to strengthen its impact and advocacy.

As an outgoing ExCom member, Dr Marsden shared the following message with the outgoing team: “Team ExCom, thank you for your perseverance, loyalty and teamwork through some very challenging years. Because of our commitment, we didn’t just survive; we stayed afloat, remained credible, and kept our voice present when it mattered most. I’m genuinely proud of what we held together as a team, and deeply grateful for each of you.”

28/01/2026

🛡️ Protect her future—HPV vaccination saves lives.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month! Cervical cancer is caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), and it makes up the biggest share of HPV-related cancers in women (about 80%).

In Zambia, cervical cancer isn’t “rare” — it’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer. In 2022 there were an estimated 3,640 new cases, making up 23.8% of all new cancers nationwide, ahead of Kaposi sarcoma, prostate and breast cancer. That’s why the WHO’s cervical cancer elimination strategy includes HPV vaccination as a key pillar (alongside screening and treatment).

The good news: the HPV vaccine trains the immune system to recognise and fight the HPV strains most likely to cause cancer. It has been monitored since 2006 and is proven safe and effective; mild arm soreness/redness is the most common side effect.

In Zambia, the HPV vaccine has been on the national schedule since 2019. Girls aged 9–14 years need 2 doses, 6–12 months apart. Best protection is before exposure—so don’t wait. If your daughter is 9–14, now is the perfect time. Ask our team your questions, and we’ll help plan both doses smoothly.

Bring your daughter to Pendleton and let’s take a stand against cervical cancer together. 💚

26/01/2026

🍯⚠️ SWEET BUT DANGEROUS: Why babies under 1 shouldn’t have honey

Honey might be natural and tasty — but for babies under 12 months, it can be unsafe.

Why is honey risky for infants?
Honey can sometimes contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, which can cause infant botulism (rare, but serious). A baby’s gut is still developing, so it may not be able to stop these spores from growing and producing a toxin that affects the nerves and muscles.

Signs of infant botulism to watch for 👀
🚩 Constipation (often the first sign)
🚩 Weak cry
🚩 Poor feeding or sucking
🚩 Floppy/weak muscles
🚩 Drooling or trouble swallowing
🚩 Breathing difficulties (in severe cases)

Keep your baby safe ✅
👶 No honey — raw, cooked or baked in foods — until your child turns 1 year old
🚫 Avoid honey-based cough syrups or “home remedies” for infants
📣 Spread the word — many caregivers still don’t know this!

Your baby doesn’t need honey to be sweet… love, milk and cuddles are more than enough!

22/01/2026

Understanding Blood Sugar Tests: Random vs. Fasting Blood Sugar

Keeping track of your blood sugar is an important step in managing diabetes. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand two common tests:

🔹 Random Blood Sugar (RBS) Test
✔ Done at any time of the day
✔ No need to fast
✔ Helps check how your body is handling sugar right now
📌 Normal levels usually range between 6.9 – 7.8 mmol/l, though it depends on your last meal.
⚠️ Caution: If random blood sugar test is 11.1 mmol/l or higher, it strongly suggests diabetes and needs immediate follow up with a doctor.

🔹 Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) Test
This is your ‘baseline’ sugar level. It measures how your body manages glucose when it has not had any food for a while. And it is the most common way to screen for prediabetes or diabetes.
✔ Done after 8–12 hours of fasting
✔ Best taken in the morning
✔ Shows how your body controls sugar overnight
📌 Normal levels are usually 3.9–5.5 mmol/L

⚠️ Why it matters:
High blood sugar levels can be an early warning sign of diabetes. Early testing = early action = better health.

💡 Tip: Always follow your healthcare provider’s advice when testing and interpreting results.

20/01/2026

19/01/2026

📚🎒 SCHOOLS ARE OPEN!

After a fun-filled festive season, the kids are back—reunited with friends, teachers, and routines. For some little ones, it’s their very first day of school… big smiles, big feelings and lots of excitement!

School is an amazing place for learning and development—but it’s also where coughs, colds, and sneezes spread fast 🦠🤧. A change in environment can also trigger allergy symptoms, which can look a lot like a viral infection. The result? Missed school days, worried parents and frustrating mornings.

At this time of year, we usually see a spike in children coming in with coughs—most commonly:
✅ Viral colds - symptoms include runny/blocked nose, fever, sore throat, cough
✅ Allergic coughs/allergic rhinitis (hay fever) - symptoms include sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose, cough

The tricky part? They can look very similar. 👀 Fortunately, we are here to help tell the difference. Some children only need short-term symptom relief, others need anti-allergy treatment, and in certain cases, antibiotics may be necessary.

If your child has a cough that’s troubling or lingering, let’s help you figure out what’s going on and get them back to enjoying school—comfortably and confidently. 🩺

✨Happy Schooling!✨

14/01/2026

Two years ago, we were almost head-to-head — same eye level, same “who’s taller?” energy. Today, Lufeyo walked into our serene Health and Wellness Centre Zambia, Lilayi Branch at 13yrs of age and I had to look up… a whole head taller. 🥹It caught me right in the chest.

I’ve been lucky enough to know him since he was just 6 weeks old, and standing there today with his dad — both of us smiling, a little stunned — I couldn’t help but reminisce. All the check-ups, the little worries, the milestones, the growing confidence… somehow they add up quietly, and then one day you see it all at once.

These two photos say everything: time, growth, and the beautiful blink-and-you-miss-it magic of childhood.

This is why I love being a paediatrician — getting a front-row seat to children becoming who they’re meant to be, through every stage of their lives..... Dr Emilia Jumbe Marsden! 💛✨

13/01/2026

Thank you so much to the Chaplin family for the beautiful thank-you cake delivered to the clinic yesterday!

Your thoughtful gesture truly meant a lot to our entire team. We’re grateful for your kind words and for recognising the care we always strive to give—being thorough, caring and empathetic while supporting not just the child, but the whole family. Thank you for your trust, and for reminding our team why we do what we do every day.

With gratitude,
The Pendleton Children’s Clinic Team 🍰✨

04/01/2026

Pendleton Children’s Clinic is back to our normal operating hours at both our Lilayi and Northmead branches, starting tomorrow, 5th January 2026!

Our team is well-rested, refreshed and so excited to begin the new year caring for all your lovely little ones. As always, we kindly encourage parents and caregivers to call ahead to book an appointment so your visit is smooth and convenient.

Thank you for choosing Pendleton — we can’t wait to welcome you and your little ones back!

01/01/2026

As we embark on another new year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful parents and caregivers. Your trust and support continue to fuel our dedication to child health.

Our team at Pendleton Children's Clinic is committed to upholding the ethos of hard work and delivering quality, evidence-based care. We have had a remarkable year of growth, learning and community engagement, from autism workshops aimed at educators to scientific conferences. Your support inspires us to keep going above and beyond to make Pendleton Children’s Clinic not just a healthcare facility, but a community and your medical home!

Wishing you a Happy New Year, filled with good health, joy and continued collaboration in nurturing the well-being of your precious ones.

30/12/2025

What a way to wrap up the year! 🎳🎤✨

Our end-of-year team building at Great Escape (KK Mall, Longacres) was the perfect mix of friendly chaos and top-tier vibes. From first-time 10-pin ballers (who quickly discovered bowling has a personality) to seasoned karaoke stars blessing us with dramatic finales, it was an evening packed with laughs, banter, and just the right amount of competitiveness.

And speaking of stakes… they were high! The winning bowling team walked away with K3,000.00, the 2nd with K2,000.00 and the 3rd with K1,000.00, all to donate to the charity of their choice, plus a prize for the highest scoring player.

Now for the plot twist: our pharmacist Andrew —who swears he’s “never” played 10-pin bowling before—casually dropped the highest score of the night. Naturally, the room responded with equal parts applause… and suspicious side-eyes. 🤨😂

As the year comes to a close, it was so good to pause, recharge and simply enjoy each other’s company. Here’s to teamwork, good laughs, and carrying this energy into the new year! 🥂💛