It is with a profound sense of honour and pride that I stand before you today to welcome you to the 20th Scientific Congress of the Zambia Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians. This is a momentous occasion, a milestone that celebrates two decades of our collective dedication to advancing the health and well-being of women and newborn in our country.

We gather here today under a theme that is not merely a slogan, but a moral imperative: “Towards 2030 Reduction of Preventable Maternal Deaths: Strengthening Obstetrics and Gynaecology Practice in Zambia.”

This theme is a stark reminder, a clear goal, and a direct charge to each one of us in this room. It echoes the global Sustainable Development Goals, but more importantly, it resonates with the silent cries of our mothers, sisters, and daughters whom we have lost to causes that are, by their very definition, preventable. The statistics, though improving, remain a scar on our national conscience. Every maternal death is a devastating tragedy that ripples through families, communities, and our nation. Behind each number is a story – a woman with dreams, a pillar of her family, whose light was extinguished too soon. Our mission is to rewrite that story.

Over the past 20 years, we have witnessed significant progress. We have seen a reduction in maternal morbidity and mortality; an increase in skilled birth attendance, and greater access to family planning services. These achievements are a demonstration to the relentless efforts of each one of you in this room – the specialists, the medical officers, the midwives, the nurses, the researchers, and our partners. You have braved long hours, resource constraints, and complex clinical challenges to save lives and bring new life into the world. For your dedication, I say, Zikomo Kwambiri.

However, while we celebrate our progress, we cannot afford complacency. The journey is far from over. We still lose too many mothers to preventable causes like postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), hypertensive disorders, and unsafe abortion etc. We are still grappling with a high burden of cervical cancer, obstetric fistulas, and HIV transmission from mother to child. The disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas remain a stark injustice.

This is why our theme is so critical. First, we must embrace the transformative power of technology and new knowledge. This congress should explore cutting-edge minimally invasive surgical techniques, advancements in assisted reproductive technology like IVF, and the use of telemedicine to reach remote communities. We must discuss innovative models of care and data management that can make our healthcare system smarter, more efficient, and more responsive. Innovation is not a luxury; it is a necessity for leapfrogging the challenges we face.

Second, quality healthcare is meaningless if it is not accessible to all. Our mission must be to bridge the gap. We must advocate for policies and allocate resources that prioritize the most vulnerable of people – the adolescent girl, the woman in a remote village, the survivor of gender-based violence. We must train and deploy more healthcare workers to rural areas and ensure that a lifesaving Caesarean section or cervical cancer screening is not a privilege of geography or the rich, but a fundamental right for every Zambian woman.

This is the bedrock of our profession. We must uphold the highest standards of clinical practice through continuous professional development. This means practising evidence-based medicine; this means fostering a culture of mentorship, where experienced consultants guide the next generation. And crucially, this means compassionate care – treating every patient with the dignity, respect, and empathy they deserve.

Distinguished Guests and Colleagues, this 20th Congress is designed to be a catalyst for the future. Over the next two days, we have curated a rich scientific programme featuring renowned local and international experts. We shall engage in robust debates, share ground-breaking research, and participate in plenary discussions. I urge you all to be active participants. Ask difficult questions, challenge old paradigms, and forge new collaborations.

To our Guest of Honour, Honourable Minister of Health and our valued partners, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your support is indispensable. ZAGO remains a willing and ready partner to the government. We offer our collective expertise to inform policy, develop clinical guidelines, and strengthen the health system – for we believe that no woman should die while giving life.

In conclusion, as we stand at this 20-year crossroads, let us look back with pride but forward with determination. Let us leave this Congress not just with new knowledge, but with a renewed sense of purpose. Let us be the generation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, midwives, and nurses that turned the tide – the generation that made maternal morbidity and mortality a rarity; that eliminated cervical cancer; and that guaranteed every woman in this country the right to safe, healthy, and dignified reproductive life.

The future of women’s health is in our hands. Let us chart it with courage, with compassion, and with an unwavering commitment to innovation, equity, and excellence.

Allow me now the distinct pleasure to invite to the podium, the Permanent Secretary to invite the Honourable Minister of Health, to officially open this 20th Scientific Congress and Annual General Meeting.

Thank you. God bless you all.

28th November 2025