Poor maternal and neonatal health outcomes remain a persistent challenge in Zambia, with 135 maternal deaths and 2,500 neonatal deaths per 100,000 live births. Rates increased in rural districts, where women often lack access to skilled care. These outcomes are further exacerbated by a critical shortage of midwives, with roughly 8 nurses per 10,000, and with just one midwife per 1,000 women.

To address Zambia’s dual challenges of not having enough nurses with midwifery training and too few midwives deployed, GAIA has launched our Health Workforce Development Program in Zambia. Through strategic partnerships, we focus on strengthening the nurse-midwifery workforce by training and deploying nurse-midwives where they are needed most.

Our work includes:

• Nursing Scholarships: In partnership with Lusaka College of Nursing, we support diploma-level nurses pursuing advanced specialization in midwifery. The first cohort of 15 scholars began studies in early 2025.
• Nursing Fellowships: With Catholic Relief Services, we deployed 10 licensed nurse-midwives to five high-burden facilities across four districts for 13-month placements.  Fellows receive in-service education, including Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) training to strengthen clinical skills.

This initiative marks GAIA’s first program in Zambia and is made possible by the support of the Health Carousel Foundation.