The Public Health Unit (PHU) starts its teaching to medical and dental students in their 1ST year of training and continues up to their 5th year of graduation. The objectives of the PHU are to introduce students to the concept of public health and its relevance in the health care delivery system in Zambia; to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be able to conduct epidemiological studies on diseases of public health importance in Zambia; to equip students with the knowledge and skills to plan, organize and evaluate health programmes; to develop in the students the spirit of team work in promoting health; and to increase students’ interest in uptake of careers in rural practice.

Mission

To promote healthy communities through teaching

Vision

To be the centre of excellence in research and training

Learning Environment

Students will learn and acquire professional competencies in both rural and urban settings:

  • Communities
  • Health Centres
  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Industries

Public Health Curriculum

PHU curriculum consists of didactic lectures in public health and Community Based Education (CBE). The didactic lectures on the different topics of public health cover the following subjects:

  • Primary Health Care
  • Epidemiology
  • Demography
  • Biostatistics
  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Occupational Health
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Environmental Health
  • Health Education
  • Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases
  • Health Services Management and Administration
  • Research Methods
  • First Aid

Community Based Education

CBE is a program, were students go into the community and interact with the community. Through CBE students learn professional competences focusing on preventive medicine in the community setting.

Research

  1. Student researchResearch projects start in their 3rd year under the supervision of the members of staff. The Public Health Unit expects the students to understand the use of different research methods.
  2. Staff researchMembers of the PHU are involved in conducting research in the following areas:
    • Non Communicable diseases
    • Substance abuse among adolescents
    • Infectious diseases
    • Health