Friends of Chitambo, founded independently in 2011, is a Scottish charitable organisation that aims to support health projects in Chitambo District, Central Province, Zambia. We currently support the hospital, the ambulance service and the nurse training school. We also focus on strengthening the ties of friendship and knowledge exchange between Zambia and Scotland, dedicated partners with important historical links.
Chitambo Hospital was founded in 1908 by the Moffats, family of Mary Livingstone, in memory of her husband, David Livingstone, who died in the district. Originally run by Church of Scotland missionaries- including relatives of our Friends of Chitambo founder- it is now under the control of the Zambian Ministry of Health. Scottish connections were rekindled when descendants of Scottish missionaries revisited the hospital in 2004.
Chitambo district is in the eastern side of Central Province, serving a population of approximately 65,000. The 100-bed First Level District Hospital is the hub for 18 rural health clinics (RHC), some of which are up to 160km from the hospital.
Our Vision
A healthier Chitambo District.
Our Mission
To advance health in the Chitambo District through specific community-driven projects.
Friends of Chitambo’s aim is to support health measures in the hospital and surrounding district by responding to issues raised by the local staff, including:
- improving emergency care to contribute to decreasing mortality and morbidity due to common medical emergencies, including childbirth and accidents;
- providing training scholarships for staff and student nurses
- contributing to ambulance maintenance; and
- improving maternity care provision
What We Do
Our key activities to date include:
- Training Scholarships for:
- a number of financially disadvantaged student nurses at Chitambo School of Nursing
- Some Chitambo Hospital staff, to complete degree programmes
- creating an information hub at hospital and clinics, equipped with print and digital information to inform frontline emergency care delivery
- providing an emergency radio network between hospital, ambulances and clinics, to speed up emergency referrals to hospital;
- providing emergency care training for frontline staff and ambulance drivers
- Providing clinical decision-making training for medical librarians and clinicians, to support frontline emergency care decision-making
- Maintaining the ambulance which we donated as a Centenary gift (2008)
- Supporting pandemic response including:
- Providing several consignments of PPE
- Funding an oxygen pipeline to take oxygen from a donated Oxygen Generator to the patients’ bedsides.
- Planning construction of a Mothers’ Waiting Shelter, for expectant mothers to deliver safely in hospital.
Get Involved
Our work is only possible through the generous assistance we receive from our dedicated members and supporters. There are many ways you can get involved with our organisation:
- become a member;
- make a donation;
- attend our charitable events;
- join our mailing list; and
- follow us on social media.
For more information, please contact Dr Jo Vallis, Chair, at jovallis@hotmail.com