Mental Health Declared a National Priority – Vice President Nalumango
Vice President Mutale Nalumango has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to making mental health a national priority, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies that guarantee access to care, reduce stigma and protect the rights of people living with mental health conditions.
Speaking through Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Collins Nzovu at the 7th National Mental Health Conference, Mrs Nalumango said Zambia’s developmental agenda cannot be achieved without a mentally healthy population.
She outlined a range of interventions being implemented, including the training and recruitment of psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, psychiatric nurses and social workers; integrating mental health services into primary health care; public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma; infrastructure upgrades; and a review of legislation to align with international standards.
“These measures demonstrate our commitment to building a nation where mental health care is accessible, dignified and culturally responsive,” the Vice President stressed, adding that collaboration with NGOs, academic institutions, religious organisations and civil society is central to advancing the cause.
Health Minister Dr Elijah Muchima, represented by Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination Dr George Sinyangwe, said the conference theme, “Mental Health and Spirituality”, underscored the importance of holistic approaches to wellbeing.
He noted that true progress required embedding mental health across hospitals, clinics, schools, workplaces and communities, with an emphasis on compassion, innovation and multisectoral partnerships.
Dr Muchima further commended the role of the conference in uniting stakeholders – from psychiatrists and psychotherapists to faith leaders and civil society – to strengthen advocacy and transform Zambia’s mental health landscape.
The three-day gathering has brought together government leaders, medical professionals, academics, researchers, NGOs and students to discuss pathways for scaling up care and ensuring that mental health remains at the centre of national development.
