cavendish unveils School of Medicine labs

ON WEDNESDAY, June 5, 2019 Cavendish University Zambia (CUZ) cut the ribbon on its new School of Medicine laboratories, introducing a modern state-of-the-art laboratories for both teaching and research.

The institution had been using the University of Zambia (UNZA) Ridgeway Campus laboratories for its practicals all along.

But it officially opened its own School of Medicine laboratories at a colourful ceremony graced by Minister of Higher Education Nkandu Luo.

The event was enlivened by the presence of many medical students who were clad in medical attire, researchers, biomedical scientists and technologists, as well as officials from the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ), government officials and many others.

Located opposite the United Nations (UN) buildings off Alick Nkhata road in Lusaka’s upmarket Longacres area, the new School of Medicine laboratories also have the capacity to provide diagnostics for different conditions in Biochemistry, Haematology and Histopathology among others.

Speaking at the official launch, Professor Luo commended the institution for its continued commitment to investing in health infrastructure, which was in line with the National Health Strategic Plan.

In a speech read for her by Minister of Transport and Communications Brian Mushimba, Prof Luo praised CUZ for its role in providing quality education to the Zambian people in a bid to enhance human capital development.

She said the construction of the facilities showed commitment by CUZ to producing competent, knowledgeable and safe medical practitioners which would reduce the deficit of health personnel in Zambia and southern Africa.

Prof Luo thanked CUZ for being one of the universities helping in reducing the deficit of health personnel in the country and the region at large.

She said Government valued the direct investments in different sectors and higher education.

“In line with the 7th National Development Plan, the Ministry of Health Strategic Plan 2017-2021 and the Sustainable Development Goals, CUZ is helping in reducing the deficit of health workers in the country and the region at large,” Prof Luo said. 

She further challenged other universities to emulate CUZ by investing in infrastructure that enhances not only teaching but also contributing to research.

She commended Cavendish University for its continued commitment to investing in health infrastructure, which is in line with the National Health Strategic Plan.

CUZ vice chancellor Kalombo Mwansa said the state-of-the-art laboratories would not only be used for learning but for teaching and research as well, which would add value to the body of knowledge in medicine.

Dr Mwansa said it was the desire of the institution to supplement Government’s effort in the provision of quality healthcare in Zambia.

He said with the completion and commissioning of the laboratories, the institution, which previously depended on the UNZA Ridgeway Campus laboratories for its practicals, would now be less dependent on the UNZA facilities, which would reduce the burden on the public institution.

Dr Mwansa said the institution was grateful to HPCZ for its professional guidance, which had led to major improvements at the CUZ School of Medicine, which now included one of the best medical skills in simulation labs in southern Africa.

Dean of the School of Medicine Clemence Marimo said with the brand-new state-of-the-art campus for health sciences education, the institution would aim to provide southern Africa with an excellent school of medicine that produced best-in-class healthcare professionals.

Dr Marimo said the institution wanted to build linkages with the African Diaspora, work closely with hospitals, engage policy-makers and create an environment that would inspire students to yearn for excellence in learning and in the provision of service to humanity.

Cavendish University, Dr Marimo said, through its School of Medicine, sought to produce top-quality graduates with the requisite knowledge, competencies, skills, professional attributes and sensitivities to community needs and aspirations.

“Our collective aim is to provide southern Africa with an excellent school of medicine that produces best-in-class healthcare professionals,” Dr Marimo said.

He said the commissioned School of Medicine laboratories had featured brand-new science in medical laboratories and 21st century educational technologies in an effort to provide southern Africa with a best-in-class school of medicine.