School Of Clinical Medicine & Mental Health Promotion

14/07/2025

Zambian Student Ivwananji Nawila Earns Russia’s Highest Academic Honour.

Ivwananji Nawila, a 23-year-old Zambian from Luanshya, has graduated with Russia’s prestigious Red Degree from Kuban State Agrarian University—the highest academic distinction (equivalent to Magna Cum Laude), awarded for maintaining straight distinctions over 4 years.

She made history as:

First African female in her faculty to graduate with a Red Degree while studying in a foreign language.

First African student in her faculty to receive a Medal of Honour.

Only student in her agronomy graduating class to receive a medal.
Recipient of a Certificate of Honors.
Served as President of Foreign Students in Agronomy and Ecology for 3–4 years.

Nawila, who studied through support from the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB), was raised by her grandparents . she credits all her success to her grandmother Christine Nawila whom she affectionately calls her mother , a resilient small-scale businesswoman.

During her time in Russia, Nawila gained national recognition for her leadership and was selected to represent all foreign students studying agriculture in Russia at Russia’s largest agriculture forum, the Golden Autumn Agro-Industrial Exhibition. There, she addressed the Russian Minister of Agriculture , deputy minister and other Top Russian officials on Zambia’s agricultural development . Not only once but twice more had a discussion with the the minister of agriculture and deputy minister of Russia to engage in high-level discussions on agriculture's role in Zambia’s economy.

Now set to return home, Nawila plans to build a robust agribusiness empire in Zambia, from production to processing and exports.

"I want to become the blueprint for success in Zambian agriculture," she stated.
Nanji Nawila

12/07/2025

ABOUT MENINGITIS

Imagine your brain 🧠 is a phone📱, and the protective casing around it is your screen protector. Now imagine bacteria or viruses sneak under the screen protector and mess with the system. That, is Meningitis.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges, the protective layers that cover your brain and spinal cord. And trust us, this inflammation isn’t cute, it’s deadly if not treated fast!

CAUSES:

Bacteria, Virus, Fungus or Parasite that usually enters the body through your nose, mouth, throat or ears.
These villains might come from a simple flu, ear infection, sinus infection or even TB. Once inside, they find a way into your bloodstream like secret agents and from there, they launch an attack on the brain’s protective shields (meninges) like it's a top-level heist!

You could catch these invaders through:

• Coughs and sneezes from an infected person.
• Sharing utensils, toothbrushes or kisses.
• Not treating untreated infections (like pneumonia or TB).
• Having a weak immune system (HIV, diabetes, cancer or steroids can lower your defense).

TYPES OF MENINGITIS:

• Bacterial Meningitis – The dangerous one! Fast, furious and fatal if untreated.
• Viral Meningitis – Often mild, clears on its own but still scary.
• Fungal Meningitis – Mostly affects those with low immunity (HIV, cancer, etc). It's the one that's called, Cryptococcal Meningitis.
• TB Meningitis – Slow but deadly; caused by the same bacteria that causes TB in lungs.
• Parasitic/Non-infectious Meningitis – Less common, but they’re in the mix too.

HOW TO KNOW IT’S MENINGITIS?

Watch out for:
• 🌡️ High fever
• 😖 Neck stiffness
• 🤕 Severe headache
• 😵 Confusion or trouble focusing
• 💡 Photophobia (bright light makes you scream like a vampire or run away like a Cockroach🪳)
• 🤮 Vomiting
• 😴 Drowsiness or even coma
• 👶 In babies: bulging fontanelle, high-pitched cry, irritability or poor feeding

DIAGNOSIS:
Doctors may do:

• Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap to check your CSF).
N.B: Lumbar punctures don’t cause death, unless in very rare cases where someone has a serious condition like brain swelling or a tumor. If a doctor recommends one, it’s because your condition is already critical and any complications afterwards are usually due to the illness, not the procedure.
• Blood tests
• CT Scan (to rule out other drama)
• Culture & sensitivity to find the villain behind the crime.

MANAGEMENT: (Hospital)
• Bacterial = Strong IV antibiotics + hospital admission 🔥
• Viral = Rest, fluids and antiviral drugs if necessary
• Fungal = Antifungals
• TB meningitis = Long course of anti-TB meds + steroids
• Practice good hygiene – wash hands, no kissing strangers who are not your husband/wife
• Boost your immunity – healthy diet, sleep and no unnecessary stress
Meningitis doesn’t joke, so early treatment is a MUST. Delay = Damage

COMPLICATIONS (If You Ignore It!)
• Permanent brain damage
• Seizures
• Hearing loss
• Memory loss
• Learning disabilities
• Limb amputations in severe bacterial cases
• And worst-case scenario: DEATH

IN SHORT:
If your head is pounding like the bass at a nightclub, your neck is stiff like your ex's heart and it feels like you are allergic to light, get checked for meningitis ASAP. Your brain deserves protection, not neglect.

Tag someone whom you know might benefit from this knowledge BECAUSE

11/07/2025

MINISTRY OF HEALTH RESPONDS TO HEALTH ALERT AT MWENSE BOARDING SCHOOL

Ministry of Health Zambia Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr Kennedy Lishimpi was on the ground in Mwense following a bacterial infection outbreak among pupils.

Medical teams were actively managing the cases, with lab tests underway to guide targeted treatment and possible vaccination.

-Ministry of Information.

11/07/2025

We had a highly engaging and constructive meeting with the executive leadership of the Zambian Medical Licentiates Practitioners. Discussions centered on developing a strategic roadmap between our two associations, identifying areas for collaboration on mutual challenges, and addressing issues related to the regrading and classification of professional positions.

The importance of fostering unity and cooperation between our associations was strongly emphasized, recognizing that although we operate as separate entities, we share similar professional backgrounds and face common concerns. A call for collective purpose and coordinated efforts moving forward was clearly articulated.

Jones Neba
*COAZ President*

05/07/2025

Cervix oh sorry Service 🤭

Proudly Midwives at your.........

05/07/2025

LET THEM BE WRITING LICENSER EXAMS TO QUALIFY STANDING 😤

Cause they’s no way you reject such a good motion.

05/07/2025

“A Million Little Miracles” 🎁

Happy Birthday L.Phiri 🌹
Age Gracefully ✨
We Appreciate you 🥂

04/07/2025

ECHOCARDIOGRAPHHY MASTERCLASS 2025

Venue: University Teaching Hospital - Radiology Department (11th to 22nd August 2025)

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
-Doctors
-Clinical Officers
-Radiologists
-Sonographers
-Anaesthetists

Limited Slots Available - Register Early!

For more details: Contact: +260977179828
email: sitalimasinti@gmail.com
Website: ww.echoacademy.org

Imaging Excellence Through Education

03/07/2025

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Clinical Officers' Association of Zambia - COAZ

The Clinical Officers' Association of Zambia (COAZ) wishes to inform all Clinical Officers, the public and our general membership that the 2025 Annual Scientific Conference and General Meeting will be held from 20th to 23rd October 2025 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Lusaka.

This year’s event will be hosted in conjunction with the Global Association of Clinical Officers and Physician Associates – Southern Africa Conference, attracting delegates from Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.

We encourage all members to register early to secure their participation.

Please note that the Ministry of Health Zambia has officially endorsed this conference, and letters of member invitation have been sent to your respective provinces to facilitate district and hospital support for your attendance.

Partners and institutions wishing to display and present at the Conference are encouraged to get in touch through admin@coaz.org

For General queries, please contact:
📧 info@coaz.org

Musonda Kamfwa
Secretary General

29/06/2025

GANGLION CYSTS

Ganglion cysts are lumps that most often appear along the tendons or joints of wrists or hands. They also can occur in ankles and feet. Ganglion cysts are typically round or oval and are filled with a jellylike fluid. They are not cancer.

Small ganglion cysts can be pea-sized. They can change size. Ganglion cysts can be painful if they press on a nearby nerve. Sometimes they affect joint movement.

COMMON FEATURES OF GANGLION CYSTS

LOCATION: Ganglion cysts most often develop along the tendons or joints of wrists or hands. The next most common locations are the ankles and feet. These cysts grow near other joints too

SHAPE AND SIZE: Ganglion cysts are round or oval. Some are too small to feel. The size of a cyst can change, often getting larger over time with joint movement.

PAIN: Ganglion cysts usually are painless. But if a cyst presses on a nerve or other structures, it can cause pain, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness.

CAUSES

The causes are unknown. It grows out of a joint or the lining of a tendon and looks like a tiny water balloon on a stalk. Inside the cyst is a thick fluid like the fluid found in joints or around tendons.

RISK FACTORS

Factors that may increase the risk of ganglion cysts include:

S*x and age. Ganglion cysts can develop in anyone, but they most often occur in women between the ages of 20 and 40.

Osteoarthritis. People who have wear-and-tear arthritis in the finger joints closest to the fingernails are at higher risk of developing ganglion cysts near those joints.

Joint or tendon injury. Joints or tendons that have been injured are more likely to develop ganglion cysts.

29/06/2025

DIALYSIS EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AT ST FRANCIS ANGLICAN HOSPITAL IN KATETE

St Francis Anglican Hospital in Katete District of Eastern province is the biggest Mission Hospital in Zambia seconded by Monze Mission Hospital in Southern Province.

The hospital has installed one of the best Dialysis equipment in Zambia and the Anglican Church is grateful to the partners for such critical support for specialised service which were provided in Lusaka or abroad.

The Zambia Anglican Council team was privileged to be shown around by the Senior medical Superintendent Dr Lalick Banda.
The Equipment helps to clean the blood for patients whose kidneys are not functioning well.

The Anglican Church in partnership with various stakeholder strives to provide health care to members of the public

Ambulances are on standby to transport patients if their conditions requires attention of the Hospital.