Upgrading maternal healthcare in Zambia

By Derrick Silimina

For Helen Zulu, maternal health care is not just a service at Monze Mission Hospital - it is an effort to save lives.

Zulu, 39, spoke to Global Sisters Report about a stressful ordeal she went through in 2018 at Monze Mission Hospital, 185 km (115 miles) south of Zambia's capital of Lusaka. A few days after giving birth, Zulu's child developed a life-threatening medical condition known as hydronephrosis, where the flow of urine is blocked within the urinary tract, causing urine to back up and potentially damage one or both kidneys.

"Whenever I think about my child's healing in the face of adversity, I become emotional," said Zulu, a mother of three. "This hospital's quality health care reflects its profound importance to the lives of patients and their families. My baby girl recovered and is now seven." 

Long before the mission hospital was established in Monze, mothers in the surrounding rural communities would give birth at home via traditional birth attendants, contributing to high maternal death rates in the southern African country.

In 1971, the late Bishop James Corboy of Monze Diocese, founded the health facility in a bid to address maternal health care in the district. The Irish Congregation of the Holy Rosary Sisters managed the hospital until 1995, until the local congregation, the Sisters of the Holy Spirit, took over. 

"This medical facility was started as a small rural health center with one building and only 24 beds, then increased to two buildings with about 30- to 40-bed capacity in a bid to attend to the community's health needs in Monze. Then, the district had no hospital or rural health center," Sr. Joyce Miyanda told GSR.

Miyanda, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit, said that the health facility now covers a wider area beyond Monze and has grown to more than 270 beds as patients seek specialized treatment.

Barely a year in her new position as acting senior hospital administrator, Miyanda told GSR that the hospital's motto of "Compassionate Care" is in line with the facility, renowned for its compassionate maternal health care in southern Zambia. 

Holy Spirit Sr. Joyce Miyanda (center), flanked by health care workers, inspects the neonatal ward at Monze Mission Hospital in Zambia. (Derrick Silimina)

GSR: Kindly tell us about your work and ministry.

Miyanda: I initially started my work here as an assistant human resource management officer for 10 years, focusing on recruitment, motivation and career development. I realized the importance of human resources in the hospital's operations, as they are key to providing quality services. 

In 2024, I was assigned as acting hospital administrator, to oversee the overall supervision of hospital activities. My key duties include ensuring sufficient resources, planning and budgeting for availability of medical equipment and drugs, transport management, capacity building, overseeing nonclinical departments and managing the hospital's entire operations.

How has your professional journey been, and who inspired you to become a religious sister?

Straight from high school, I had a passion for human resource management and in 2004, I did a certificate at Greenwood Institute before I joined the sisterhood. In 2005, I fulfilled my childhood dream to become a nun after I was inspired in grade four by Sr. Anne Marie, who used to be at our local parish. 

Then at Mazabuka Girls High School, I again got inspired by Sr. Mariana Barlow, one of our teachers — a Holy Spirit sister who introduced me to sisterhood after I expressed interest. My greater calling was fueled by my passion to serve the poor and vulnerable people in society. I find joy in religious life and the mission of helping the poor, which has fulfilled my work at the hospital.

After I professed in January 2010, the religious sisters of the Holy Spirit took me back to school and I obtained a diploma in HR from the National Institute of Public Administration in 2012. I then went on to study (for) my bachelor's degree in HR at the Copperbelt University in 2019. 

My career journey began when I started working as a principal at James Corboy Primary School for two years and later as an assistant human resource management officer at Monze Mission Hospital. For the past 10 years working as HR, I realized the importance of handling human resources with care, as they are the heart of the hospital's operations.

Sr. Joyce Miyanda, left, poses with Sr. Purity Siloka, an accountant at Monze Mission Hospital in Zambia. (Derrick Silimina)

What is your charism and how does it align with your work?

Our charism as Holy Spirit Sisters is rooted in openness and dedication to the personal action of the Holy Spirit by following Christ's mission. It emphasizes the importance of being open to the guidance and insights of the Holy Spirit, and responding accordingly to the signs of the times. 

Our mission is to follow Christ's mission, serving the community and the poor with compassion and love. So as a Holy Spirit sister, one thing that I have always practiced and lived out is to give great witness to the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.

How is the facility managing overall maternal health care in Monze district and the surrounding area?

So from the onset, we've had an obstetrician and gynecologist, who was Sr. Dr. Lucy O'Brien, just at the inception of the hospital. She belonged to the Holy Rosary Sisters, the first managing agents before we came in 1995 and they worked very hard to make sure that expectant mothers delivered safely.

Over the years, we have maintained a high standard of health care, including a well-equipped department with specialists, midwives and trainee doctors. In 2024, the hospital handled 4,485 deliveries, with an average of 385-420 monthly. 

How many staff manage various medical departments at your health facility?

The hospital has around 35 departments, which plays a critical role in providing essential health care services to the Monze community and surrounding areas, which previously had limited access to health care facilities. 

Our key health departments include major curative services like pediatrics, maternity wing, obstetrics, gynecology and surgery. Other support health services include laboratory, pharmacy, eye clinic, X-ray, catering, laundry, transport and stores among others. The hospital has 200 full time staff members, including doctors, nurses, but has over 500 staff including support staff.

We're grateful to the Ministry of Health, a significant funder. We also receive support from the religious Sisters of the Holy Spirit and the bishop's office among other donors.

Tok the talk

By Derrick Silimina

On a sunny afternoon, Nelly Wahome mounted a smartphone on a tripod to film one of Mombasa’s tourist hotspots - Nyali Resort, a popular northern beach resort in Kenya.  

Wahome, 25, shared the latest video clip via her TikTok handle in a quest to enchant her followers with the day’s tourism scene along Nyali’s coastline. Within a few hours of uploading, her content attracted hundreds of views. 

“What began as a light-hearted experiment - a video on life in a tourist town I posted on TikTok a year ago - has surprisingly grown into something much bigger. My following has since tripled to nearly half a million,” Wahome told ChinAfrica. 

Amid a surge in the number of Internet users in her area, Wahome is upbeat about the onset of a new era in the creative economy, as young tech-savvy users become a key market for social media companies in the East African country. 

Wahome recently became the brand ambassador for a local tour operator, promoting their tourism offerings through her content. Not long ago, she also clinched a deal to upload some of her unique content on another local travel website, which earns her a steady income. 

The emergence of a creative economy in many parts of Kenya highlights the transformative impact of technology and social media on local communities. With favourable demographics, the country’s advertising and consumer markets are poised for strong long-term growth. This has drawn increased investment from major players such as Chinese tech giant ByteDance, the parent company of popular video-sharing platform TikTok, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. 

Tik the talk  

Social media content creators like Wahome are excited about these developments, believing that the collaboration will streamline the advertising process for Kenyan businesses on TikTok’s mobile video platform. 

Former Kenyan rugby player Dennis Ombachi became the overall winner of the inaugural TikTok Top Creator Awards in 2022. The sportsman and self-taught chef shares cooking videos with his 2.3 million followers on TikTok, where he goes by the name “The Roaming Chef.” 

Kenya is a global leader in TikTok usage, with 54 percent of Kenyans using it for diverse purposes, including content creation and sharing videos from their favourite creators, while 29 percent specifically rely on it for news, according to a news report by Reuters. 

As young, tech-savvy individuals become active participants in this digital landscape, they not only contribute to the growth of social media platforms, but also foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the region. 

For this reason, TikTok recently teamed up with two private Kenyan firms, Aleph Holdings and Wowzi, to expand its presence in the country’s fast-growing creative and business landscape. 

The partnerships are aimed at making it easier for businesses to advertise on the platform while giving local content creators more ways to monetise their work. 

Under the partnerships, Aleph Holdings will manage TikTok’s sales and support operations in Kenya, offering local businesses tailored advertising solutions. Wowzi will serve as the creator management partner, helping content creators to connect with brands and agencies to unlock new commercial opportunities. 

“These collaborations not only give Kenyan advertisers unmatched access to cutting-edge digital ad formats and tailored local support, but also open new doors for the immensely talented local creators to thrive and expand their presence on the platform,” said Carl Jordan, TikTok’s head of sales and global business solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Jordan noted that the collaboration aims to connect Kenyan content creators with potential advertisers, thereby enhancing their revenue opportunities and strengthening the local creative ecosystem. “Such partnerships reflect our commitment to fostering local talent and businesses, positioning Kenya as a key player in the global digital economy.” 

With Aleph Holdings’ involvement, media buying is expected to become easier for businesses, allowing them to pay in local currency and access direct insights from TikTok. Instead of relying on international payment systems, Aleph Holdings will manage TikTok’s ad operations in Kenya, streamlining the process for local businesses.  

“This partnership makes digital marketing more accessible and effective, helping Kenyan businesses to tap into TikTok’s massive audience,” said Stephen Newton, Aleph Holdings’ regional managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Bustling space  

The increase in Internet penetration across Kenya has opened up new avenues for economic engagement, enabling young people to leverage social media for various opportunities - from marketing their own creative ventures to influencing trends and reaching broader audiences. 

Investments from major companies like ByteDance and Meta signify not just the financial opportunities present in this market, but also underline the potential of Africa’s youth as valuable contributors to the global digital economy.  

To maximise the benefits of this creative economy, tech experts argue that a holistic approach can enable the next generation of creators in Kenya - and beyond - to fully harness the power of technology in shaping their economic futures. 

It is imperative that stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions and private investors, work collaboratively to provide supportive infrastructure, enhance digital literacy, and foster an environment where innovation can thrive. 

Recently, Kenyan President William Ruto signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese ICT firm Huawei to promote digital transformation in the country. Gloria Wawira, chief executive officer of the National Youth Council, a state agency that promotes youth-centric policies and legislation, observed that China’s economic and technological progress offers valuable lessons for Kenya in its pursuit of a skills-driven fourth industrial revolution. 

The collaboration between China and Kenya can enable technology transfer and train young people, and also foster innovation and enterprise, making Kenya and Africa the next frontier - whether in business outsourcing or in remote work using technology,” Wawira said.  

Dreams of vulnerable girls

By Derrick Silimina

One 18-year-old Zambian girl said she was raised in a home shaped by her grandfather's sexual abuse, which led her down a bleak path.

Growing up in a challenging environment due to her family's financial constraints, the girl, who asked that her name not be used to protect her identity, turned to her wealthy grandmother to help support her education. At first, this seemed advantageous, but it came with significant psychological trauma.

"Things turned sour after her husband sexually abused me," the girl told Global Sisters Report.

"The horrific experience affected my academic performance," she said. "My class teacher realized that I was traumatized, forcing the school authorities at St. Patrick's school to rescue me to a safe haven where I had access to further academic support." 

 

Sr. Bertha Chisanga, project coordinator for the Bakhita Partnership for Education, sits in her Zambia Association of Sisterhoods office in Lusaka, Zambia. (Derrick Silimina)
 

The girl's story highlights the need for a supportive framework that addresses not only educational needs but also emotional and mental health support for young people navigating abusive homes.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on education, many girls in the southern African country dropped out of school. Increased teenage pregnancy, child marriages and financial struggles exacerbated existing vulnerabilities in communities. That led to a situation where many families could no longer afford to keep their girls in school. 

In Mazabuka District, with schools closed for extended periods, some girls faced pressure to enter into early marriages. Meanwhile, others sought odd jobs at the Nakambala Sugar Estates to earn money to help their families.  

Luse Hamoonga's parents lost their jobs after COVID-19 and could not afford her tuition. 

"After schools reopened, I was on the verge of being kicked out," said Hamoonga, a grade 12 student at Mazabuka's St. Patrick's Secondary School, one of the schools the Bakhita Partnership for Education supports.

Hamoonga said that if her teacher had not recommended her to the Bakhita Partnership, she would have dropped out and married at a young age. Her dream of becoming a medical doctor would have been in vain.

Today, Hamoonga is among hundreds of girls who are beneficiaries of the "Bakhita project," which is managed by the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood. 

Since its inception in 2020, the project has served dozens of schools, including Kasisi Girls Secondary School in Lusaka District, Chikuni Girls Secondary School in Monze District, St. Joseph's Girls Secondary School - Chivuna and St. Atanazio Day Secondary School in Chipata, among others.

With support from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa, and the Zambia Association of Sisterhoods, the sisters are transforming the lives of vulnerable girls in Zambia by offering them a second chance at education and empowering them to follow their dreams. (The Hilton Foundation is the primary funder of Global Sisters Report.)

Chanda Musonda, a participant in the Bakhita Partnership for Education at St. Patrick's Secondary School in Mazabuka District, Zambia, will graduate from high school this year. (Derrick Silimina)

"During the COVID-19 lockdown, the project answered the calls of vulnerable girls who dropped out of school as their parents and guardians became jobless," said Sr. Bertha Chisanga, the partnership's project coordinator. 

The project's namesake, St. Josephine Bakhita, is a symbol of resilience and hope for victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. 

Chisanga, a Missionary Sister of the Precious Blood, said the project works to ensure that girls receive quality basic education, prioritizing Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Tanzania. 

"We also offer psychosocial counseling to the girls coming from broken homes due to high divorce cases, economic hardships, and sexual and gender-based violence prevailing in their communities," Chisanga said.

Located in the heart of Mazabuka town, about 125 kilometers (78 miles) south of Zambia's capital, Lusaka, St. Patrick's Secondary School started as a community school in 1995 and has evolved into a co-educational facility. 

Chisanga said that more than 100 vulnerable girls at St. Patrick's Secondary School have benefited from the program, overcoming financial hardships and societal challenges. However, the project does not provide assistance for post-secondary education, leaving many girls at home after high school.

"The Bakhita project is a game changer for vulnerable girls, [and] their school performance has been impressive," St. Patrick's Secondary School head teacher Harrison Banda told GSR.

Chanda Musonda described the emotional impact of her academic journey at St. Patrick's, particularly the trauma of dealing with a broken home after her parents divorced.

Musonda, 17, was inspired by the resilience and fortitude of her mother, a domestic worker who struggled to pay her tuition fees. Her mother's employer offered to help, but he couldn't sustain all her academic needs.

Thanks to the Bakhita Partnership, Musonda is about to complete her high school education this year.

"I am so grateful to the sisters' initiative and the academic support I [have] received," Musonda said. "I hope the project will continue to help many girls and [include] boys in similar situations. I pray the scholarship is [also] extended to the tertiary level, a move that will transform many lives."