ZAMBIA UNION OF NURSES ORGANISATION Country Report presented at the SANNAM Network Meeting

1. ZAMBIA UNION OF NURSES ORGANISATION Country Report presented at the SANNAM Network Meeting by Irene Siame and Beatrice Zulu 12th - 13th February 2010

2. Country Context Political and social events that have influenced our country; • Politically, Zambia practices constitutional democracy. • Health service delivery has been affected by withholding of funds by major partners of MoH. • This lead to shortage of essential drugs and equipment. • Health training institutions have been affected in that funding to Health Institutions is reduced to 20%. In the long run this will reduce the numbers of skilled personnel which will affect quality health care delivery • Reduced Staff motivation due to inadequate incentives

3. Country context continued…… • There is political will to improve health services for the people of Zambia. • Zambia is on track to meet four of the seven MDGs and has potential to meet the fifth. • Infant and under-five mortality rates have reduced by 30% • Maternal Mortality Rate from 729 in 2001 to 449 per 100,000 live births in 2007 • Zambia has also developed a National HIV/AIDS Prevention strategic plan • There is increased involvement of the private sector and civil society in decision making on political, economical and social matters. • The fight against corruption has continued

4. Country’s Economy • The country’s economy is improving with the single digit inflation rate (9.6%) • The 2010 National budget allocation to the health sector improved from domestic resources

5. Greatest Challenges to Nursing • Shortage of Nursing personnel in government health and nursing training institutions • Inadequate surgical and medical equipment in Health institutions. • Poor salaries and conditions of service for midwifery and nursing personnel, compromising the other government initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining staff in the public health sector.

6. Description of ZUNO • The Zambia Union of Nurses Organization (ZUNO) was registered on 20th June 2007 and entered, a recognition agreement with Government of Zambia on 16th June 2009. • ZUNO is a professional organization and a trade union for all categories of nurses and midwives registered or enrolled with the General Nursing Council of Zambia, as defined by the Nurses and Midwives Act, No. 31 of 1997, regardless of where they may be employed

7. Description of ZUNO continued… • ZUNO is a professional body and a trade union representing the nursing profession. • ZUNO has been incorporated on many government committees, such as: • Development of the National Nursing Strategic Plan • Government Retention Scheme Committee – MoH. • Joint Labour Management Committee of the MoH • Government and Trade Unions Joint Technical Committee on Housing and Rural/Remote Allowance review.

8. Description of ZUNO continued…. VISION The vision of ZUNO is to have an empowered nurse who is motivated and able to continuously uphold professional excellence

9. Description of ZUNO continued….. PHILOSOPHY • ‘a commitment to caring in the fullest sense, being advocates for our patients, helping people to help themselves and doing for people what they would do unaided if they had the necessary strength, will or knowledge’ • Therefore, while upholding this philosophy, ZUNO will insist and demand for social and economic justice for all nurses as a reward from their employers regardless of the sector

10. Description of ZUNO continued… MISSION • ZUNO is committed to being a vibrant, self-sustaining professional and socio-economic welfare organization that will protect and promote the interests of nurses and midwives through effective representation and capacity building. In so doing, ZUNO will promote the highest level of professionalism and integrity in the delivery of health care services to the community

11. ZUNO Organizational Activities • Membership sensitization and recruitment • Currently, ZUNO has a total membership of 6,107 out of the targeted 10 000 nurses and midwives. • Out of 6107 members, only 1,000 are paying membership subscription fees, since government has just implemented the check off system. • Formation of Branches in all the 72 districts of Zambia. • Currently, ZUNO has 88 branches countrywide • Establishing ZUNO Provincial Offices in all the 9 provinces of Zambia.

12. Organizational Activities continued.. • Capacity building in terms of workshops • Leadership workshops on labour laws • Shop steward training workshops • Negotiation skills workshops for negotiators • Nurses’ Entrepreneurship skills training • Young Nurses leadership skills empowerment training • Development of ZUNO policies • Periodical review of the ZUNO constitution. • ZUNO has nine (9) provincial executive committees

13. ZUNO AFFILIATION INTERNATIONALLY • International Council of Nurses • Commonwealth Federation of Nurses REGIONALLY • Southern African Network of Nurses and Midwives (SANNAM) • East, Central Southern African College of Nursing (ECSACON) LOCALLY • Zambia Congress of Trade Unions(ZCTU) • Non-Governmental Coordinating Committee (NGOCC)

14. Impact of SANNAM on ZUNO • The impact has been on capacity building for leadership • Strengthened International solidarity and sharing of best practices through networking. • Twinning with sister nursing organizations(Zambia/Tanzania) • Construction of the Lusaka ZUNO resource centre

15. Collaborative work with MAZ, Red Cross • ZUNO works with various stake holders on health matters at country level, e.g. • National Malaria Control Centre in Malaria case management capacity building project • Medical Association of Zambia(MAZ) and Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia(PSZ) on Depo-Provera advocacy. • During natural disasters ZUNO collaborates with Red-cross • ZUNO closely works with the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordinating Committee (NGOCC) on various issues requiring lobbying and advocacy.

16. National Nursing Act • Zambia has the following documents: • The Nurses and Midwives Act. No. 31 of 1997 • Nursing Code of Ethics • National Nursing Strategic Plan • Professional regulatory framework where General Nursing Council (GNC) draws the standards of operation for Nurses and Midwives • The role of ZUNO has been of that of physical participation, lobbying and advocacy during the development and enactment of the Nurses and Midwifery Act. • The Nursing Act establishes the General Nursing Council (GNC) as a regulatory body for the nursing education and practice in Zambia. • ZUNO is represented on the board of GNC by the ZUNO President.

17. The main sources of ZUNO income • The Following are ZUNO’s sources of income: • Membership Subscription • Donations • Legacies • Investments • Contributions • Any other lawful means as approved by the ZUNO National Executive Committee (NEC).

18. Major ZUNO challenges • Lack of funds due to few subscription fees from the ZUNO members. • High expectations from members • Stiff competition with well established trade unions where some nurses are members, considering that ZUNO is still in its infancy stage.

19. Main ZUNO Sustainability Plans • Recruitment of more members • Expand fundraising ventures • Development of ZUNO policies

20. Conclusion THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION