Veteran politician and scientist Nkandu Luo says her role in Zambia’s early response to HIV and AIDS, including diagnosing the country’s first HIV case and advocating for the introduction of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), should not be overlooked when assessing her public service record.
Speaking in an interview on Crown Television Zambia to mark International Women’s Day, Prof Luo said her contributions to Zambia’s health sector have helped sustain thousands of lives.
“There are few politicians who can match my contribution. I have contributed immensely. I brought the ARVs you drink today,” Prof Luo said.
Role in identifying Zambia’s first HIV case
Prof Luo, a microbiologist and immunologist her work in the early 1980s led to the diagnosis of the first HIV case in Zambia, which was later reported to the Ministry of Health.
At the time, she was working as a scientist analysing the immunological status of a patient who had presented with tuberculosis.
Further laboratory testing revealed the presence of the virus, marking the first recorded HIV case in the country and prompting health authorities to begin paying closer attention to the emerging epidemic.
Her work would later expand into broader HIV/AIDS research, surveillance and public health advocacy.
Advocacy for ARV treatment
Prof Luo said she also played a role in advocating for the availability of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in Zambia, at a time when treatment options for people living with HIV were extremely limited. She consistently pushed for stronger government and international responses to the epidemic, including improved access to treatment and prevention programmes.
Throughout her career, she has worked with several international organisations, including UNAIDS, The Global Fund and USAID on HIV/AIDS programmes focusing on vulnerable populations such as women and children.
Blood safety and national HIV response
Among her contributions to public health, Prof Luo said she was also involved in the establishment of 33 blood screening centres across the country and the strengthening of the national blood transfusion system to reduce the risk of HIV transmission through unsafe blood supplies.
Her work also included advising on policy aimed at expanding treatment and achieving international HIV response targets.
Distinguished academic career
Prof Luo is widely recognised as Zambia’s first female professor, attaining full professorship at the University of Zambia in 1993 in microbiology and immunology.
Her academic qualifications include a master’s degree in microbiology from Moscow State University and both a master’s degree and PhD in immunology from University of Brunei Darussalam.
Beyond academia, she later entered politics and served as a cabinet minister under both the Movement for Multiparty Democracy and the Patriotic Front administrations.
Controversy over student meal allowances
Despite her scientific and political achievements, Prof Luo said public discussion about her legacy often centres on the controversial decision to remove meal allowances for students at the University of Zambia and the Copperbelt University during her tenure as higher education minister.
She explained that the policy was introduced to allow government to extend support to students at additional public universities and to introduce a student loan scheme that could benefit learners even in private institutions.
However, she said the policy has overshadowed other reforms she implemented in the higher education sector.
Prof Luo, who remains a member of the Patriotic Front and previously served as running mate to late former president Edgar Lungu, said her contributions to science and public health should also be recognised alongside her political career