Establishment of an ICT Resource Centre - Zambia

Nurses in Zambia have a need for up-to-date medical information. In this pilot project the Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) will support their members with an Information and Communication Technologies resource centre in their head office in Lusaka and in their provincial offices in the Copperbelt and in Western Province. It will provide a group of about 9000 nurses access to the internet and email facilities. Furthermore this project gives access to professional nursing study materials, including opportunities for e-learning, and also provides an electronic library to members and the general public.

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, there is a need to employ modern ICT to improve information and communication throughout its network. This will facilitate improved coordination, education and knowledge sharing with the members of ZUNO, especially those in rural areas which are difficult to access or communicate with.

Read more about IICD’s Zambia Country Programme.

• A resource centre with internet access and an electronic library in Lusaka was built
• In total 87 members are trained in using basic ICT.
• Both headquarters and the three pilot sites have now telephone and fax
• The Western Province and Lusaka Province offices are connected to the internet
• Workshop in Information Needs Analysis took place to design the Online membership management platform to ensure decentralized data-entry
• 2 participants of ZUNO were attending the Trainer-of-trainer workshop for the health sector
  

• To significantly improve information and communication within and outside the project’s network, through computerisation and establishment of internet/e-mail connectivity 
• 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. This includes 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
• To develop capacities in relevant ICT skills among the members; this would bring about modern working culture and motivation

The Zambia Union Nurses Organisation (“ZUNO”) is an association of all nurses and midwives registered for practicing in Zambia by the General Nursing Council of Zambia (“GNCZ”).

Read more about IICD's approach towards Health.

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). Over the years, the association has successfully established itself in all 9 provinces of Zambia and managed to register a total of approximately 9,000 members.