Leadership in Nursing and Midwifery in Zambia, a driver to achieving better Health for All.

Very few things are more important to society than leadership.Without leadership any human grouping becomes sluggish, stagnates, and loses direction. Because we see things differently, we tend to lean toward different solutions, and without leadership we rapidly degenerate into arguments and conflict. A dynamic profession needs assertive and flexible leaders at every level, more so if the “very soul” of a profession is embedded in compassion.

Nursing and Midwifery are such professions. It is not just a career but also a life commitment. Nurses and Midwives make up the largest group of health professionals who have a great responsibility and potential to influence all aspects of healthcare delivery.  Nursing is a practice and political act aligned to critical thinking, action and advocacy (Canadian Nurses Association, 2010).

In Zambia, nursing and midwifery is slowly taking its rightful place, playing a critical role in the immediate lives of professionals in the field, while impacting the entire health system and communities.  Among the major players facilitating this, is Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO), which is a professional and socio-economic welfare organisation that promotes the interests of Nurses and Midwives in the country.

While the shortage of Nurses and Midwives has hit every corner of the country,undoubtedly hampering the Zambian government’s vision of increasing access to quality health care, graduating additional nurses and midwives is not the solution. The solution lies in looking into the socio-economic aspect, improving the work environment, which are key to improving patient safety and the quality of health care. This is one of the many areas of advocacy for ZUNO.

 Nurses and Midwives make up the largest of health professionals

The ZUNO’s work is guided by the very philosophy of nursing, which is; a commitment to caring in the fullest sense, being advocates for patients, helping people to help themselves and doing for people what they would do unaided if they had the necessary strength, will or knowledge.The organisation was born following dissolution of the Zambia Nurses Association (ZNA) in 2008, which had transformed from of the Northern Rhodesia Nurses Association in 1950.

The high expectations in the health sector and the ever changing socio-economic environment have compelled ZUNO to continually re-evaluate how it works and responds to changing trends.

From 10th and 11th December 2015, ZUNO will be holding its 2^nd Quadrennial Conference and 56^th National Assembly. The Quadrennial conference convenes once every four years acts as a supreme policy making organ of the organisation. The 2015 Conference is especially special as it will see the adoption of the 2015 ZUNO Draft Constitution and election of the entire top leadership of the organisation who make up the National Executive Committee. Leaders are often described as being visionary, equipped with strategies, a plan and desire to direct their teams and services to a future goal (Mahoney, 2001).

It is these leaders who have the mandate and responsibility to pave the way, help ZUNO grasp what lies ahead and inspire the organisation to achieve the otherwise unachievable.

During the 2nd Quadrennial Conference and 56th National Assembly, over 300 national and international delegates will assemble in Livingstone, under the theme: “Nurses and Midwives a vital Resource for Health”, as they make Constitutional and policy decisions concerning the organisation.

Current president of ZUNO President Thom Yung'ana who has been re-elected to the same position twice will not be seeking re-election having dedicated 9 years of leadership to the organisation shouldering the responsibility of being a change agent, transforming the organisation from ZNA to ZUNO. Cognisant of the fact that Organisational needs and expectations are dynamic, and that nursing as a profession has evolved and continues to do so, ZUNO recognizes the role of leadership at every level in the organisation. The organisation must be up-to-date with current trends in trade unionism and the nursing profession, therefore those coming to lead the organisation should build on what has been achieved and take the organisation to higher heights.”

Members of the Public waiting for their turn to receive health care

Since 1950 many leaders at different levels have helped drive the organisation in its quest to become a vibrant and self sustaining professional and socio-economic welfare organisation that effectively represents its members while positively contributing to health care delivery in Zambia.
Resting on a vision to have an empowered nurse and midwife who is protected, motivated and able to continuously uphold professional excellence, ZUNO has over the years passed through different leaders who poses unique styles of leadership skills.

 These are the leaders who took practical steps that have brought the organisation to where it is today and helped it earn a reputation and pride of being a democratic organisation that holds the views of the membership in decision making to high esteem.

Therefore the year 2016 will therefore see another chapter in the life of an organisation that would undoubtedly play a major role in the social, political and economic aspects of the nursing and midwifery professions.

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