Health Services Section

This section is responsible for coordinating the delivery of both preventive and curative health services through general nursing care, clinical interventions, medical equipment management, and pharmaceutical support. It oversees the operations of District Hospitals, Mini Hospitals, Zonal Health Centres, Health Centres, and Health Posts across the district.

Units under the Health Services Section:

1. Clinical Care and Diagnostic Services Unit

This unit coordinates the provision of outpatient and inpatient care, diagnostic services, pharmaceutical management, and biomedical support across health facilities.

Core Functions:

• Delivery of clinical and pharmaceutical care

• Provision of maternal, neonatal, adolescent, and nutritional health services

• Management of imaging, laboratory, and rehabilitative health services

• Implementation of quality assurance measures and outreach health programmes

• Coordination of mortuary operations and emergency referral services

2. Nursing and Midwifery Services Unit

This unit oversees the provision of general and specialized nursing care, with a focus on maternal, adolescent, and community health.

Core Functions:

• Coordinating nursing and midwifery services across all health facilities

• Implementing national nursing care policies, protocols, and standards

• Providing technical support, supervision, and capacity building for nurses and midwives

• Monitoring the quality of nursing care and ensuring patient satisfaction

• Collaborating with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia (NMCZ) to ensure compliance with professional standards

• Supporting research and development in nursing practices and standards

The Public Health Services Section is responsible for implementing programmes and projects aimed at preventing, controlling, and eliminating diseases to promote health and extend life expectancy. The Section also oversees solid waste management and the delivery of public health education programmes.

Units under the Public Health Services Section:

1. Public Health Unit

This unit is tasked with implementing health surveillance, education, and disease response programmes to safeguard community health.

Core Functions:

• Conducting health surveys and public health research

• Enforcing public health standards, regulations, and guidelines

• Delivering community-based health education and awareness campaigns

• Supporting disease surveillance and epidemiological monitoring

• Evaluating the performance and impact of public health programmes

• Providing technical support and oversight for district-wide public health initiatives

2. Environmental Health Unit

Focused on environmental protection and sanitation, this unit promotes healthy living environments through effective waste management and hygiene strategies.

Core Functions:

• Managing solid and healthcare waste disposal systems and sanitation infrastructure

• Leading pest control initiatives and hygiene promotion campaigns

• Coordinating climate-resilient health strategies and adaptation plans

• Fostering multi-sectoral collaboration on environmental health issues

• Responding to public health emergencies, epidemics, and natural disasters

• Overseeing the collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste.

3. Health Inspectorate Unit

The Health Inspectorate Unit ensures compliance with established public health standards through inspections and regulatory enforcement.

Core Functions:

• Inspecting food establishments, workplaces, water and sanitation facilities

• Monitoring occupational health and addressing public nuisances

• Issuing certificates of compliance to uphold public safety and hygiene standards.

4. Health Promotions Unit

This unit leads initiatives to influence positive health behaviours through community engagement and strategic communication.

Core Functions:

• Disseminating health education and promotional materials

• Coordinating school and community health programmes

• Implementing Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and behaviour change communication strategies

• Partnering with media houses and stakeholders for widespread health messaging

• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of public health campaigns

5. Cleansing and Pest Control Unit

Dedicated to environmental sanitation, this unit ensures cleanliness and pest control in public spaces.

Core Functions:

• Cleaning streets, markets, and public amenities

• Managing the complete solid waste chain—from collection to safe disposal

• Coordinating pest control operations, including spraying and fumigation

• Conducting public education campaigns on pest and vector prevention

6. Funeral Services Unit

This unit is responsible for the dignified and sanitary management of deceased persons.

Core Functions:

• Administering cemeteries and issuing burial permits

• Managing mortuary operations and record-keeping

• Supervising grave digging and ensuring adherence to sanitary practices

• Maintaining and coordinating the use of funeral equipment and facilities