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SDG 9 aims to “build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation”. The resilience of Zambia’s national infrastructure to climate change is crucial because, although Zambia has contributed little to global greenhouse gas emissions, it is expected to face significant effects because of anthropogenic climate change, including an increase in temperatures and increasingly intermittent and declining overall levels of rainfall. Rural areas in Zambia with weak health infrastructure are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts, such as heat stress, malnutrition, vector-borne, and water-borne diseases that are increased risks as a result of the predicted changes in climate.

The Zambia Health Facilities Programme improves the geographical reach and quality of Zambia’s healthcare infrastructure, contributing to Target 9.1 to “develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure […] to support economic development and human well-being”. Reliability and resilience are enhanced through specific design aspects, including:

• Implementing surface water drainage systems that closely mimic natural processes, improving attenuation, infiltration, and local aquifer recharge.
• Building naturally ventilated buildings with a highly insulated walling system to better resist thermal transfer.
• Incorporating water and electricity storage and backup systems for use during the dry season and incidences of adverse weather.
• Minimising site vegetation and topsoil stripping to prevent desertification, retain groundwater, and reduce local ambient temperatures.

Innovative construction technologies and techniques have also made significant contributions to Target 9.4, which seeks to “upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resourceuse efficiency and greater adoption of clean and
environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes”. For example, the engineered steel frame system helps reduce the embodied carbon of the facilities by decreasing the superstructure’s weight without compromising its strength, resulting in reduced concrete usage for the substructure. Concrete production is responsible for up to 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions.

To enhance resource-use efficiency during operation, the facilities incorporate renewable energy sources, such as solar water, and solar PV electrical power – nearly half of the facilities operate off-grid without connection to mains electricity.

Taken together, the programme supports human well-being by improving existing infrastructure and enhancing the reliability, resilience, and sustainability of Zambia’s healthcare system

The successful delivery of the first Operational Environmental and Social Management Plan (OESMP) handover training at Mfuwe District Hospital took place on 11th August. To be delivered to staff at all five District Hospitals, the training communicates the management measures outlined in the OESMP. With 29 individuals present, the training was well attended by hospital staff members, with job titles ranging from nurses to landscapers and cooks to radiographers.

The new 80-bed Mfuwe District Hospital at Mambwe, Zambia has been completed and was handed over on 15 June 2023.

The event was attended by a delegation of regional heads, led by Provincial Health Director, Dr Mathews Ng’Ambi; Council Secretary, Lwawa A.K. John; AHEMO officer, Chishimba Mwansa; Provincial Infrastructure Officer, Wilson Chifwima; and Musonda Aubrey of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure; with NMSI represented by Clerk of Works, Godfrey Tauseni and Biomedical Technician, Jonathan Chewe.

Providing modern surgical facilities with a wide array of state of the art medical equipment, the hospital is set to make a significant contribution to the health and wellness of the region’s populace.

On June 5th the United Nation’s (UN) World Environment Day took place, which aims to put an annual spotlight on pressing environmental challenges. This year the theme was plastic pollution, and the Zambia programme played its part through activities undertaken by NMSI’s Environmental Engineer.

Toolbox talks were delivered to workers on-site at Mwansabombwe, Kitwe and Ndola District Hospitals, raising awareness of the problems of plastic pollution and introducing solutions. Other sessions to raise awareness also took place off-site with local communities.

NMSI’s Environmental Engineer visited a local orphanage neighbouring Mwansabombwe District Hospital to introduce the children and staff to World Environment Day and discuss what they could do to help reduce plastic pollution in their community.

Members of the on-site workforce also made footballs out of plastic waste to donate to the orphanage. A similar engagement also took place at Intulo Primary Schoolby Ndola District Hospital. The on-site workers made small bins out of plastic waste.

NMS Infrastructure was proud to donate materials to the Women Entrepreneurs Development Association of Zambia (WEDAZ) in the making of reusable sanitary towels in the Kanakantapa community of Chongwe.

WEDAZ undertakes training for women and youth in local communities, empowering female members in the development of reusable sanitaryware. In Kanakantapa, the organization trained a total of 320 women across four days.

Natasha Mumba, Community Team Leader, reiterated their mission, stating, ‘we shall see to it that every woman is covered with reusable pads and no woman and youth shall lack during menstruation.’

Miya Zulu, a representative from WEDAZ, stated, ‘we shall cherish this with all we have… May the good Lord continue blessing NMS for the donations to helping women of the Kanakantapa community. I am excited as this empowerment is going to go a long way.’

Meanwhile, Grace Mwale, a further WEDAZ representative, emphasized, ‘this programme will not just teach our women and youth on how to make these reusable towels, but it shall also empower them. They will be the first group to produce these towels and to sell to communities, making all the women and youth of this community financially independent.’

Medical Aid Films partnered with NMS to screen educational films in the Mini Hospitals constructed as part of NMSI’s Zambian Healthcare Programme.

On 30^th March, Mr Steven Zarnfaller, Project Director of Medical Aid Films, visited Kasava Health Centre to provide a short film screening on HIV and contraceptives to youths within the local community.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Health and various partners:

• Mrs Chise: Provincial Health Promotion Officer, MOH Zambia
• Ms Chileshe: District Health Promotion Officer, MOH Zambia
• Mr Liche: Provincial Information Officer, MOH Zambia
• Ms Handema: Kasava Mini Hospital, Lead Nurse
• Ms Susan Mutale: Kasava Mini Hospital, GP Nurse
• Mr Kalumba: Project Manager for Plan Zambia
• Mr Phiri: Programme Manager, SAfaids

During a two-day working visit to the Eastern Province, Zambia’s President HE Hakainde Hichilema inspected Mambwe District Hospital, accompanied by Health Minister Sylvia Masebo and Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu. The event was attended by the British High Commissioner, HE Nicholas Woolley; Iain Maclean, NMSI Country General Manager and Nicholas Oliver, Head of Business Development.

The President stated that the high standards of the newly constructed Mambwe District Hospital and state-of-the-art medical equipment would improve health services in the district, describing it as a “gamechanger” in healthcare delivery for the people of Mambwe.

Noting that the project is being completed on time, the Head of State thanked the British Government through High  Commissioner Nicholas Woolley, for partnering with Zambia and supporting the construction of Mambwe District Hospital, the first of five 80-bed District Hospitals to be built as part of the project.

Rabson Ngalanda, a local artist in the Mambwe District, painted a large mural on the Paediatric Ward at Mambwe District Hospital, the first District Hospital to be handed over as part of NMSI’s Healthcare Programme in Zambia.

Starting on 7^th December, Rabson’s work finished in January, with a range of colourful paintings depicting scenes of children playing, local wildlife and famous animated characters.

“I am so grateful that I was given this rare opportunity”, said Rabson. “I got the inspiration from different families around the Mfuwe community… All of the pictures in this section of the hospital are famous cartoon characters and some are imaginations of the wild here in South Luangwa. Art is a healing process and a picture on the wall speaks a thousand stories.”

“I grew up in Mambwe District… I feel building this hospital in Mambwe District will contribute positively to citizens of this area and surrounding districts hugely.”