Hichilema bans personal mobile phone use by health workers on duty as Cancer Diseases Hospital reopens

LUSAKA, August 2, 2026 – President Hakainde Hichilema has directed that health workers should not use personal mobile phones while on duty, saying the practice distracts medical personnel and compromises patient care.

The President said mobile phones should only be used for official work within health facilities, adding that government would explore measures to limit mobile network access in hospitals to discourage unnecessary phone use during working hours.

“There should be no use of mobile phones by health workers while on duty except for official purposes,” President Hichilema said. “We will work on deactivating the network in health facilities so that our health workers can concentrate on attending to patients.”

The Head of State was speaking on Saturday during the commissioning of the refurbished Radiotherapy and Imaging Section of the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) in Lusaka, marking the resumption of cancer treatment services after years of interrupted operations.

President Hichilema described the reopening of the facility as a major milestone for Zambia’s healthcare system, saying thousands of cancer patients had suffered while the equipment remained out of service.

“For five years, that closure carried a heavy cost. We spent millions sending 600 patients abroad for treatment, while thousands more waited, suffered and prayed,” he said.

The President said the refurbished facility would significantly improve access to specialised cancer treatment and reduce the country’s dependence on expensive overseas referrals.

“This facility will now treat up to 60 patients a day, here at home. The money once spent on airfares and foreign hospitals will now be invested in Zambian doctors, Zambian nurses and Zambian patients,” he said.

The first patient to receive treatment following the reopening was 62-year-old Mauleya Zimba, who is battling cervical cancer.

President Hichilema said her treatment symbolised renewed hope for thousands of Zambians living with cancer.

“Hers was more than a medical procedure. Madam Zimba carries the story of thousands of Zambians—and today, she carries their hope,” he said.

The President reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system, describing quality healthcare as essential to national development.

“A healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” he said.

He added that government intended to position Zambia as a regional centre of excellence in cancer treatment.

“We are building Zambia into a regional centre of excellence in cancer care, so that one day patients fly here for treatment, not away from it.”

According to President Hichilema, the refurbished radiotherapy and imaging facility is now among only three specialised cancer treatment centres of its kind on the African continent, alongside facilities in South Africa and Egypt.

The Cancer Diseases Hospital is Zambia’s main referral centre for cancer diagnosis and treatment, serving patients from across the country. The restoration of its radiotherapy services is expected to ease pressure on patients who previously had to wait for treatment or be referred abroad at significant cost to the government.