DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES

The Department of Health Services is responsible for the provision of preventive and curative healthcare services through general nursing care, clinical care, provision of medical equipment, and pharmaceutical services.

Our focus is on promoting health, prolonging life, and preventing diseases across the district. The department leads programmes that address critical health issues such as maternal and child health, nutrition, communicable diseases, environmental health, and community-based healthcare outreach.

This department operates through two core sections: Health Services and Public Health Services, each supported by specialised units and professional staff who work tirelessly to ensure quality and equitable healthcare for all residents both in the peri-urban and rural centres.

Responsibilities

• Deliver general clinical care and nursing services.
• Provide pharmaceutical and diagnostic services, including imaging and laboratory testing.
• Implement vaccination campaigns and child health programmes.
• Coordinate maternal health and family planning services.
• Monitor and manage communicable and neglected tropical diseases.
• Provide nutrition counselling and services.
• Manage health education and disease surveillance programmes.
• Ensure availability and maintenance of medical equipment in health facilities.
• Manage ambulance and emergency referral services.

HEALTH SERVICES SECTION

This section is responsible for coordinating the provision of preventive and curative health services through general nursing care, clinical care, medical equipment, and pharmaceutical services. The section is also responsible for District Hospitals, Mini Hospitals, Zonal Health Centres, Health Centres and Health Posts.

Clinical Care and Diagnostic Services Unit

• Coordinates outpatient and inpatient care, diagnostics, pharmacy services, and biomedical support.

Functions include:

• Clinical and pharmaceutical care
• Maternal, neonatal, adolescent, and nutritional services
• Imaging, laboratory, and rehabilitative services
• Quality assurance and outreach health programmes
• Management of mortuary and emergency referral services

Nursing and Midwifery Services Unit

• Coordinating nursing and midwifery services in all health facilities
• Implementing national policies, protocols, and standards for nursing care
• Providing technical support and supervision to nurses and midwives
• Monitoring nursing care quality and patient satisfaction
• Collaborating with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia (NMCZ)
• Supporting research in nursing standards and practices

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

This Section is responsible for implementing programmes and projects aimed at preventing, controlling and eliminating diseases in order to promote health and prolong life. The Section is also responsible for solid waste management and provision of public health education programmes.

Public Health Unit

Functions include:

• Conducting health surveys and public health research
• Enforcing public health standards and guidelines
• Providing community health education
• Supporting disease surveillance and epidemiological monitoring
• Assessing the performance of public health programmes
• Offering technical support for district-wide public health services

Environmental Health Unit

Functions include:

• Manages waste disposal and sanitation infrastructure
• Leads pest control and hygiene campaigns
• Promotes climate-resilient health strategies
• Promoting collaboration on environmental health
• Managing healthcare waste and promoting safe habitats
• Conducting hygiene campaigns and climate adaptation plans
• Coordinating epidemic and disaster response
• Overseeing solid waste collection, transportation, and disposal

Health Inspectorate Unit

• Inspecting food premises, workplaces, and sanitation facilities
• Monitoring occupational health and controlling public nuisances
• Issuing certificates of compliance to ensure public safety

Health Promotions Unit

• Disseminating health promotion materials
• Coordinating community and school health services
• Implementing IEC and behaviour change communication programmes
• Collaborating with media and other stakeholders
• Evaluating the impact of public health campaigns

Cleansing and Pest Control Unit

• Cleaning streets, markets, and public conveniences
• Managing solid waste from collection to disposal
• Coordinating pest control and spraying campaigns
• Educating communities on pest prevention

Funeral Services Unit

• Administering cemeteries and burial permits
• Managing mortuary facilities and records
• Supervising grave digging and sanitary practices
• Facilitating maintenance of funeral equipment