25/11/2025
๐ฃ๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐ข๐ ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐ (๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ)
๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ (๐๐๐ฆ๐ฅ (๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ)
Public Health Association of Zambia - (PHAZ) expresses its profound gratitude to the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) and all partnering stakeholders for their unwavering support and active engagement in strengthening the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system. This commitment was further demonstrated during the engagement held at Spring View Lodge in Chongwe from 17th to 21st November 2025, where key stakeholders convened to review strategies, share insights, and reaffirm their dedication to advancing national public health security.
As an institution committed to capacity building, PHAZ fully endorses the integration of IDSR into Public Health training programmes. IDSR remains a cornerstone of effective public health practice equipping future professionals with the skills needed to detect, investigate, and contain disease outbreaks in a timely and coordinated manner.
By enhancing competencies in early warning, data reporting, and rapid response, IDSR contributes significantly to safeguarding communities from emerging and re-emerging health threats. Its inclusion in academic and professional training is therefore essential for building a resilient public health workforce.
๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐:
1. Strengthen collaboration between training institutions and PHAZ
Academic institutions should engage PHAZ in curriculum review and programme development to ensure that training content aligns with evolving national public health standards, policies, and priorities.
2. Establish a centralized database of Public Health training institutions
PHAZ and ZNPHI should jointly develop and routinely update a national database of institutions offering Public Health programmes to support coordination, quality assurance, and harmonization of training.
3. Introduce IDSR as a dedicated course module
Public Health programmes should offer IDSR as a standalone course to enhance student competencies in surveillance, outbreak preparedness, reporting systems, data interpretation, and emergency response.
4. Promote continuous professional development in IDSR
PHAZ should collaborate with ZNPHI and other stakeholders to provide ongoing refresher trainings, workshops, and simulation exercises for both students and in-service health workers.
Regards,
Publicity and Editorial Committee
Public Health Association of Zambia (PHAZ)
