A landmark gathering of the nation’s leading Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, public health experts, and key stakeholders concluded in Lusaka, marking a pivotal step forward for women’s healthcare in Zambia. The intensive meeting, convened by the Zambia Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (ZAGO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and supported by development partners, successfully finalised updating and validated the National Guidelines for Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The primary objective was to rigorously review, modernize, and officially endorse a unified set of clinical guidelines to ensure standardized, evidence-based, and high-quality care for all women across every level of Zambia’s health ecosystem.

Medical knowledge and best practices evolve rapidly. The previous (2024) OBGYN guidelines though foundational, needed alignment, taking into account the following:

Latest WHO Evidence: Incorporating recent WHO recommendations and international clinical advances.

Zambia’s Specific Context: Addressing local epidemiological patterns, resource availability, and common clinical challenges.

Emerging Health Issues: Strengthening protocols for managing rising concerns such as gestational diabetes, mental health in pregnancy, comprehensive cancer care, etc.

Technological Integration: Guidance on the safe use of emerging diagnostic and therapeutic technologies within local constraints.

The meeting was characterized by a robust, multidisciplinary review of the previous guidelines, comprehensive changes and alignment to the contemporary OBYGN practice. Over the seven (7) days, experts worked through thematic groups discussions including but not limited to:

1. Antenatal & Intrapartum Care: Updates on prevention and management of obstetric haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and safe delivery practices.
2. Postpartum & Neonatal Care: Emphasis on postnatal follow-up, breastfeeding support, and newborn resuscitation.
3. Gynaecological Oncology: Streamlining referral pathways and management protocols for cervical, breast, and ovarian cancers.
4. Reproductive Health & Family Planning: Integrating rights-based approaches and long-acting reversible contraception.
5. Infections & HIV: Harmonizing PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission) with general OBGYN care.
6. Surgical & Ethical Standards: Updating safe surgical practices, anesthesia guidelines, and ethical decision-making frameworks, among many other topics.

Each section was subjected to scrutiny, with discussions centred on effectiveness, and equity to ensure the guidelines are not only scientifically sound but also practical and implementable in tertiary, provincial, district hospitals, and potentially rural health facilities alike.

The validated guidelines now feature among other things, action-specified for different levels of care; integrated  emergency protocols, quick-reference algorithms for life-threatening conditions like eclampsia and sepsis; enhanced focus on prevention, stronger sections on pre-conception counselling, vaccination in pregnancy, and cancer screening; recognised basic management of perinatal depression and anxiety; provided guidance on respectful care, shared decision-making, and adolescent-friendly health services; as well as factored in monitoring & evaluation built-in indicators to track adherence and outcomes.

Recognising the milestones achieved during the seven-day deliberations, ZAGO President, Dr Samson Chisele thanked the team for their dedication.

“This is more than a document; it is a national covenant to provide every Zambian woman with the same high standard of care, whether she is in Lusaka, Mongu, or Chinsali. It bridges the gap between policy and the bedside,” Dr Chisele stressed.

Ministry of Health Chief Safe Motherhood Officer – Maternal Health Unit, Dr Caren Chizuni echoed this sentiment: “These guidelines will now form the mandatory benchmark for training, service delivery, and quality audits. They are essential for reducing maternal mortality, improving reproductive health, and achieving our national health goals.”

While the document has been completed and validated, the guidelines now await official dissemination – at which point digital and printed copies will be distributed to health facilities countrywide.

The successful update and validation of the National OBGYN Guidelines represent a renewed promise to Zambian women. They equip healthcare providers with a powerful, standardized tool to save lives, ensure dignity, and promote health throughout a woman’s life course. As the organisation moves into the implementation phase, every ZAGO member is called upon to be an ambassador for these guidelines, turning national policy into tangible, life-changing care.