Lusaka to Screen Babies for Hearing Problems at Birth
Zambia has taken a key step towards improving early childhood health with plans to integrate Universal Newborn Hearing Screening in Lusaka District.
On 23 January 2026, Beit CURE Children’s Hospital, with support from the Ministry of Health, held a stakeholder engagement meeting to advance the initiative.
Speaking on behalf of Permanent Secretary Dr Kennedy Lishimpi, Dr Matilda Kakungu reaffirmed Government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and future of newborns.
She stressed that hearing is vital for early brain development, speech, learning and social interaction. Undetected hearing loss often goes unnoticed until children struggle with speech or schooling, missing a critical window for language development.
Evidence shows that early detection and intervention before six months significantly improves developmental outcomes. The programme aligns with Zambia’s goals on Universal Health Coverage, primary health care and inclusive development.
The Ministry of Health noted that success will depend on strong collaboration, workforce training and integrating screening into existing health systems, with lessons from Lusaka guiding national scale-up.
