The Demand for Doctors in Zambia

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The Demand for Doctors in Zambia
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• There has been an insatiable demand for doctors
  and health professionals all around the world.
  The situation is worse for those who live in
  rural areas of the country. Many have to travel
  around 300 Kilometers to reach the nearest
  hospital. This is especially an issue when
  emergency care is needed for pregnant women.

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The State of Healthcare in Zambia

• Even those who reach the hospitals have to wait
  in a long queue before getting the medical
  attention they require.

According to the Medical Journal of Zambia and
the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates
that the Doctor-patient ratio is 11200 which
shows the pressing demand for doctors in Zambia.
This is way beyond the acceptable standard of
1500. This shows that Zambia has a shortage of
3,000 doctors. To address this shortage, the
Zambian government has trained non-physician
clinicians (NPCs) to perform minor surgical
procedures, which are usually reserved for
doctors. This process is referred to as
task-shifting. Although recommended by WHO, this
process raises concerns due to its safety for the
patients involved in the procedure.
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The Brain-Drain Phenomenon

• Despite being one of the highest paying jobs,
  Zambia also faces issues to retain its medical
  graduates. Candidates form the university of
  Zambia tend to move to other countries in search
  of better-paying and higher-learning
  opportunities leaving many health posts vacant.
• Safety for Health Workers
• Historically, many Zambian health workers have
  been not spared by HIV/AIDS pandemic. They are
  unable to contain the spread of the virus due to
  the requirement of services in complexity and
  quantity.
• The Top Ten Diseases Affecting Zambia
• HIV/AIDS
• Neonatal disorders
• Lower respiratory infections
• Tuberculosis
• Diarrheal diseases

• ischemic heart disease
• Malaria
• Stroke
• Congenital disabilities
• Cirrhosis

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Steps Taken by the Zambian Government andthe
Community

• The ministry of health Zambia has rolled out a
  seven-year plan to upgrade the medical
  infrastructure. Plans are underway to build
  around 650 health centers across the country to
  address this issue. Health services in Zambia
  still have a long way to go.
• The Ministry of Health Zambia shows that there is
  a shortage of human resources around three
  thousand doctors in the country. Even with NGOs
  lending a helping hand, the numbers are still
  unbalanced. With the ever-growing rate of
  population, one cannot deny the fact that
  healthcare in Zambia needs urgent attention.

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UNICEF health officials attend to sick patients
in Internally Displaced Persons Camp in
Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, on February 4,
2016. The Nigerian city of Maiduguri has been
among the worst affected by Boko Haram Islamists
deadly insurgency. The bloody six-year insurgency
by the Islamist group Boko Haram, is estimated to
have caused the deaths of 17,000 people and
forced more than 2.6 million others to flee their
homes. / AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI
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• According to the deputy minister of public
  health, Mr. Chitalu Chilufya, Almost all the
  students who graduate from the Zambian medical
  school end up practicing. Over sixteen-thousand
  health, personnel was recruited since 2016.
  Candidates tend to move to other countries,
  especially the UK, for more excellent
  opportunities, the minister said.
• The first lady of Zambia, Ester Lungu, stated
  that they need to address the issue of nurses
  leaving their posts from rural areas. These areas
  where their services are in dire need. Lady
  Esther Lungu also promised to contribute more to
  the healthcare system through her foundation
  Esther Lungu Foundation
• The ongoing activists moment has demanded the
  government for more medical centers and health
  professionals to assign to said centers. Pursuing
  a career in the medical field right now can
  become a fantastic opportunity to serve the
  people and the nation.

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Current Challenges Faced by the Medical Sector

• Challenges faced by the medical sector of Zambia
  in modern times according to WHO
• In-efficient management due to centralized
  decision structure.
• High attrition rates from pre-service training
  and employment.
• High worker morbidity and mortality due to
  HIV/AIDS.
• Fewer teaching staff and graduates. The fast
  decline of graduates overall service quality due
  to insufficient training.
• Lack of funding for proper infrastructure and
  equipment.

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Why Do You Have to Set up a Career in Medicine?

• There are various advantages one can experience
  if he/she chooses to pursue medicine in Zambia.
• Job Security
• Since there is a growing requirement for doctors
  in Zambia, Job security will not be an issue.
• Landscape for Innovation
• Zambia has quickly has become a landscape for
  medical innovation. Tech companies have
  introduced new tools and procedures to tackle
  many medical obstacles. Candidates will
  automatically become early adopters of such
  advancements, which will add value to their
  careers.

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• Job Fulfillment
• The medical profession is rated the highest in
  job satisfaction around the world. Nothing feels
  as good as helping people in need.
• Decent Pay
• Doctors are the best-paid professions in Zambia
  you will never feel undervalued.
• Opportunity to Go Abroad
• Doctors are the most sought-after job not only in
  Zambia but also around the world. You will have a
  chance to move overseas if you choose to, unlike
  other fields that have limited potential.

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Consider Texila American University (TAU)

• TAUs Zambia campus is a Tier-1 private medical
  school located in Zambia. A coveted college, TAU,
  Zambia, is known for its advanced infrastructure
  and curriculum. It is designed exclusively to
  build world-class doctors and healthcare
  practitioners for Zambia and the world.
• TAU, Zambia provides students the opportunity to
  experience international medical education. TAU
  aims to give students the exposure and guidance
  required to excel in a dynamic and demanding
  medical field. Students of TAU are put through an
  intensive academic program that combines
  theoretical knowledge and practical experiences.
  That produces professionals who are ready to
  tackle the challenging field of medicine and
  offer world-class care.

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HPFP Program

• The Health Professionals Foundation Program
  (HPFP) at TAU, Zambia, has been crafted to
  prepare students for the MBChB course. It offers
  a firm footing in natural sciences and behavioral
  sciences. The course serves as a bedrock for the
  core concepts of medical sciences. Which will be
  crucial for their understanding of concepts and
  terms during their MBChB course.
• MBChB Program The Bachelors of Medicine and
  Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) program is aimed at
  training students to become competent doctors.
  With the necessary knowledge, skills, and
  attitude to succeed in a dynamic environment. The
  program offers a broad and detailed approach to
  healthcare education. The MBChB curriculum that
  is balanced between preventive, curative,
  rehabilitative, and promotive healthcare.

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