Advent Health System Partners with ZNS to Elevate Healthcare at Lusaka’s CJ Nyirenda Hospital
The Advent Health System of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church has expressed interest in partnering with the Zambia National Service (ZNS) to enhance healthcare delivery at Charles Joseph Nyirenda Level One Hospital in Lusaka.
Speaking after touring the facility, Immediate Past President of Advent Health System, Dr Terry Douglas Shaw, described healthcare as a sacred calling and praised ZNS for its commitment to expanding medical services alongside its defence mandate.
“I have spent 42 years in healthcare mission work caring for the sick, which is never easy. What ZNS is doing here is commendable, and this is God’s work. As Advent Health System, we are proud of what you are doing for the people of Zambia. This is our first visit, and we cannot wait to see what develops from this partnership in the next seven years,” Dr Shaw said.
Dr Shaw further observed that the proposed collaboration could help transform CJ Nyirenda Hospital into a modern facility meeting international standards.
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division President, Dr Harrington Akombwa, also commended ZNS for complementing government efforts to bring healthcare closer to communities, adding that a healthy military is vital to national security.
“The expansion of Charles Nyirenda Hospital is commendable. I have lived in Lusaka since 1998, yet today I discovered things I never knew existed until this visit. ZNS is doing amazing work. As they say, a healthy nation is a prosperous nation,” he said.
Dr Akombwa revealed that the SDA Health System operates 51 major hospitals globally, positioning Zambia to benefit from shared expertise and knowledge exchange.
Meanwhile, ZNS Commander Lieutenant General Engineer Maliti Solochi II welcomed the proposed collaboration, saying the Service is ready to partner in completing the hospital’s expansion, including the construction of a patient ramp for wheelchair users.
“Considering that government is faced with competing priorities, we are open to partnerships with organisations such as Advent Health System to complete this project. Today’s visit is not just an appreciation tour but an opening of a window for possible collaboration,” Lt Gen Solochi said.
He also thanked government for the trust placed in ZNS to play a frontline role in healthcare provision.
The Charles Joseph Nyirenda Hospital, which has been undergoing expansion since 2021 through internally generated ZNS funds, currently serves a catchment population of more than 28,500 people.
