Student Union Leads Health Campaign

Sanitation, mental health and reproductive health programmes set to begin this month.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka,  Zambia24 --- (10-03-2026) -- The National Council of Student Union (NACOSU) Health Committee has launched a student-led health campaign that will focus on sanitation, mental health awareness and sexual and reproductive health education across institutions of higher learning.

The campaign will begin this month and will include a nationwide clean-up programme scheduled for next week Friday aimed at improving sanitation and helping prevent disease outbreaks such as cholera.

Speaking during a press briefing, Dr. Njabulo Tshaka Ncube, Secretary for Health and Environmental Affairs in the NACOSU Health Committee, said the sanitation initiative is part of broader efforts by students to support national public health programmes.

Dr. Ncube said the clean-up campaign will mobilise students from various institutions of higher learning to promote hygiene and sanitation in communities and campuses.

“We are organising a clean-up programme next week Friday as part of efforts to contribute to the reduction of cholera cases and to improve sanitation in communities and institutions of higher learning,” Dr. Ncube said.

He added that the student council is ready to collaborate with government institutions, student leaders and other organisations in addressing public health challenges affecting the country.

Dr. Ncube noted that sanitation improvements in institutions of higher learning remain critical in preventing disease outbreaks, recalling that during the 2018 cholera outbreak some universities were forced to close due to poor sanitation conditions.

However, he said improvements in water and sanitation infrastructure in many institutions have since strengthened disease prevention efforts.

Meanwhile, Dr. Evelyn Katebe Makasa, Coordinator of the NACOSU Women’s League, said the council will also implement health awareness programmes targeting students across the country.

Dr. Makasa said the programmes will include mental health awareness initiatives and sexual and reproductive health education aimed at improving students’ access to health information and services.

“These programmes will begin this month and we are calling on organisations and stakeholders to partner with us so that we can work together to improve the health and wellbeing of students,” Dr. Makasa said.

And Dr. Depefix Cwaba, Consultant on Health Matters to the NACOSU Health Committee, commended government for progress made in strengthening Zambia’s health sector.

Dr. Cwaba said the country has recorded improvements in healthcare financing, staffing and the availability of medicines.

He noted that government has recruited more than 18,000 health workers since 2022, helping to address staffing shortages in many public health facilities.

Dr. Cwaba added that increased investment in medicines and improved supply systems have helped reduce drug shortages that previously affected health facilities across the country.

“In the past, drug shortages were common in health facilities, but the increased investment in medicines and medical supplies is helping improve access to treatment,” he said.

And Dr. Maimbo Mapulanga, a member of the NACOSU Health Committee, highlighted government efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure through the construction and upgrading of health facilities across the country.

Dr. Mapulanga said the development of maternity annexes, rural health posts and health centres through the Constituency Development Fund and central government funding has helped improve access to healthcare services.

He added that the procurement of ambulances and vehicles for provincial and district health offices has strengthened emergency response systems and improved patient referrals.

Dr. Mapulanga further noted that the revitalisation of the Zambia Flying Doctor Service has improved access to healthcare for people living in remote parts of the country by providing air ambulance services.

The NACOSU Health Committee has since called for continued investment in preventive healthcare services, digital health systems such as telemedicine, and the recruitment of additional health workers to further strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

The council also urged students, institutions and organisations to actively support sanitation campaigns and public health initiatives aimed at improving health standards across Zambia.