A Midwife Saved a Life. Mukobela Won’t Forget.
By Francis Maingaila
Lusaka, Matero – (May 2, 2025) - United Party for National Development (UPND) parliamentary hopeful for Matero Constituency, Evans Mukobela, has hailed Zambia’s midwives as the “backbone of the nation’s health system,” pledging legislative action to protect their rights and improve their welfare if elected.
Mukobela made the remarks on Friday during commemorations of the International Day of the Midwife at Matero General Hospital, themed “Celebrating Midwives, Strengthening the Backbone of Our Nation.”
The event drew midwives, community members, health professionals, and government officials together in celebration of their work.
“Midwives are not merely health workers—they are life workers,” Mukobela said.
“They are the first to welcome life into this world and the last to give up in moments of crisis. Zambia sees you. Zambia honours you. Zambia needs you.”
He applauded the UPND government’s efforts under President Hakainde Hichilema, including the mass recruitment of health workers and rehabilitation of health posts.
However, he noted that the true heartbeat of the health sector lies in the human compassion and courage of midwives.
In a moving moment, Mukobela shared a personal story from 14 years ago at Chipata General Hospital, where a midwife refused to give up on a newborn who had been declared lifeless after a complicated birth.
“That child is alive today because one midwife would not accept defeat,” Mukobela recalled.
“That is the essence of midwifery. It is not just a science—it is a devotion. It is love in action.”
He vowed to push for policies that ensure fair pay, mental health support, better working conditions, and continuous professional development for health professionals—especially midwives.
> “Let this day not be the end of celebration, but the beginning of sustained recognition,” he said.
“I will stand with you—not just in speeches—but in action and legislation.”
His words were met with warm applause from midwives and health workers, many of whom expressed renewed hope that change might finally come through dedicated leadership.
The event closed with a call for continued community support for midwives and greater national recognition of their crucial role in health care and development.
Who is Evans Mukobela
From Matero’s Streets to the People’s Agenda
Evans Mukobela is a community-driven leader and United Party for National Development (UPND) parliamentary aspirant for Matero Constituency. Born and raised in Matero, Mukobela has deep roots in the area and a reputation for speaking up for the underserved.
A youth mentor, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for social justice, Mukobela has worked extensively with local charities, schools, and health initiatives.
He is known for mobilizing young people through skills training, clean-up campaigns, and health awareness drives in some of Lusaka’s most vulnerable wards.
His political ambitions are grounded in lived experience—growing up among the struggles of Matero’s residents, navigating a broken health system, and witnessing the resilience of frontline workers.
His candidacy is defined by a promise to legislate with empathy, advocate for improved service delivery, and remain accessible to the people he serves.
“I’m not just running for office,” Mukobela says.
“I’m running to restore dignity and deliver hope to the people who raised me.”
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