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The Medical for Quality Healthcare in Zambia (MQHZ) has raised the alarm over a growing mental health crisis among medical professionals, citing increased emotional strain due to poor working conditions and overwhelming workloads.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Zambia has a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:12,000—far below the WHO’s acceptable standard of 1:5,000. Additionally, the country has only 0.7 physicians per 10,000 people, underscoring a critical shortage of medical personnel.
MQHZ Director General, Dr. Quincy Mwambu, in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, revealed that a recent study found 75 percent of healthcare facilities in Zambia face staffing shortages, compromising the quality of patient care.
“This shortage, combined with inadequate staffing, outdated equipment, and insufficient infrastructure, exacerbates burnout and stress among medical professionals,” Mwambu said.
He noted that many healthcare workers endure long hours with minimal breaks, leading to severe physical and emotional exhaustion.
To address these challenges, Mwambu urged the government to take immediate action to recruit and retain more medical professionals.
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“We demand competitive salaries, improved working conditions, and access to continuous training and development opportunities,” he said.
Mwambu stressed that investing in healthcare infrastructure and equipment is also crucial to ensuring that medical professionals have the necessary resources to provide quality care.
“We advocate for policies that promote work-life balance, reduce burnout, and support the mental health and well-being of medical professionals,” he added.
Mwambu called for urgent measures to address the root causes of the crisis, including inadequate funding, poor working conditions, and limited career development opportunities for healthcare workers.
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