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Government has applauded Ecobank Zambia for its support in conducting over 200 surgical operations valued at close to K1 million at Solwezi General Hospital and surrounding clinics in North Western Province.
The commendation was made by Minister of Health, Alex Katakwe, during a handover meeting at the Ministry headquarters on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Katakwe expressed gratitude for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in strengthening healthcare delivery.
“These are the kinds of collaborations that Government is looking to foster. They not only reduce the surgical backlog but also expand access to essential health services for our people,” he said.
Katakwe highlighted the broader impact of the outreach, noting that it reflected the Ministry’s vision of inclusive healthcare.
“This initiative demonstrates how public-private partnerships can transform lives at the community level. By working together, we are ensuring that even rural and underserved populations benefit from high-quality surgical care. It is proof that when institutions unite for a common purpose, the results are extraordinary,” he said.
The Minister further commended the dedication of the medical teams and the generosity of Ecobank Zambia.
“Beyond the numbers, what matters most is the hope restored to families and the dignity given back to patients. This is a shining example of how corporate responsibility can directly uplift communities and strengthen our national health system. We look forward to replicating such models across the country,” he concluded.
Ecobank Zambia team, led by Head Legal and Company Secretary Suwilanji Sichalwe Reamsbottom, underscored the bank’s commitment to investing in communities as part of its corporate social responsibility strategy.
“Our entry into Solwezi is not only about business growth but also about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Supporting Upright Africa in this surgical outreach has yielded tangible results, and we are proud to see the impact on patients, families, and the wider health system,” she said.
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Sichalwe emphasized that Ecobank’s involvement reflected a long-term vision of integrating social investment with market expansion.
“This initiative demonstrates that when financial institutions align with healthcare providers, the benefits extend far beyond numbers. It is about restoring dignity, improving quality of life, and building trust with the communities we serve,” Reamsbottom added.
Speaking earlier, Dr. John Woods, Founder and Chief Executive of Upright Africa, presented the surgical report to Katakwe and explained the scope of the outreach.
He noted that between February 15 and April 13, 2026, the campaign delivered more than 200 surgical procedures across general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics, urology, oncology, and paediatric congenital conditions.
Woods reported that over 500 patient encounters were recorded, including surgical and medical consultations, while more than 100 gynecologic evaluations and procedures expanded access to women’s health services.
In addition, more than 250 internal medicine consultations supported chronic disease management, perioperative optimization, and paediatric care.
“The surgical burden addressed was significant, ranging from hernias and advanced thyroid disease to trauma requiring fixation, tumor resections, congenital anomalies, and emergency obstetric interventions,” he said.
Woods emphasized that multiple stoma reversals were successfully performed, restoring bowel continuity and greatly improving patient quality of life.
He added that the outreach contributed to strengthening referral pathways, expanding operative capacity, and delivering safe, high-volume surgical care.
Essential medical commodities including antibiotics, anesthesia agents, IV fluids, sutures, and reusable theatre materials were donated to support continuity of care, enabling an additional 30–50 procedures beyond the outreach period.
“This campaign demonstrates a scalable and replicable model for district-level surgical delivery, aligned with the Ministry’s strategic priorities,” Woods said.
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