IICD supported project: Establishment of an ICT Resource Centre - Zambia

Countries: Zambia [ZM]
Sectors: health

Summary

Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) is the association of all the nurses and midwives registered to practice in Zambia by the General Nursing Council of Zambia (GNCZ). TAs part of the project, an ICT Resource Centre will be established which should become a hub for the flows of information and communication throughout the ZUNO network. It will provide access to the internet and email facilities, give access to professional nursing study materials, including opportunities for e-learning, and also provide an electronic library to members and the general public. The project also intends to promote reporting and knowledge exchange with other stakeholders in and outside of Zambia.

Introduction

ZUNO has identified the lack of an appropriate, efficient and effective system for information and communication between the head office and its branches and the general membership, as one of the major constraints affecting its operations.

Against this background, ZUNO has identified the need to employ modern ICTs to improve information and communication throughout its network and thereby facilitate improved coordination, education and knowledge sharing with its members, especially those in rural areas which are difficult to access or communicate with.

Objectives

• To significantly improve information and communication within and outside the project’s network, through computerisation and establishment of Internet/e-mail connectivity.  This would improve communication with district and provincial offices of ZNA, district health management teams, CHAZ, international associations of nurses, and other internal and external stakeholders;
• To improve the recording and management of members’ records, through the computerisation of such records, and hence increase the registrations and renewals of memberships;
  
• To significantly increase the dissemination and exchange of relevant information and knowledge between the Secretariat, the affected branches and general membership, including information on  membership, welfare of the members, special announcements, policy, legal and regulatory documents, professional journals, newsletters, educational and research materials and other information relevant to the Association;
• To improve the quality and efficiency of management information and reporting, through the use of computers and internet/e-mail facilities for reporting; and
• To develop capacities in relevant ICT skills among the members; this would bring about modern working culture and motivation.

Budget

€ 73,500 (2007 and 2008)

Project Owner : Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO)