ZAMBIA has made history with its first-ever cochlear implant surgery performed at the University Teaching Hospitals Adult Hospital. The procedure was done on a 20-year-old woman who lost her hearing in 2023 by UTH Ear, Nose and Throat specialists together with a visiting medical team from the Czech Republic under the Czech Government's MEDEVAC programme.

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ZAMBIA has made history with its first-ever cochlear implant surgery performed at the University Teaching Hospitals Adult Hospital.

The procedure was done on a 20-year-old woman who lost her hearing in 2023 by UTH Ear, Nose and Throat specialists together with a visiting medical team from the Czech Republic under the Czech Government’s MEDEVAC programme.

Speaking at a press briefing at UTH, Senior Medical Superintendent Dr Charles Mbewe, who represented Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr Kennedy Lishimpi, said the milestone demonstrates Zambia’s growing capacity to provide advanced care locally and reduce dependence on referrals abroad.

Lishimpi said the success lays the foundation for a sustainable national cochlear implant programme and reflects growing partnerships with international organisations supporting advanced medical care.

He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening hearing health services through prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation as part of universal health coverage.

Czech Ambassador to Zambia Jiří Kyrian said the MEDEVAC programme is one of the most successful areas of cooperation between Zambia and the Czech Republic. The programme started in 2023, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 9, 2024, linking Czech hospitals with the National Heart Hospital, UTH, Women and Newborn Hospital in Lusaka and Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu.

Since 2023, multiple Czech medical missions have visited Zambia and 29 Zambian specialists have completed internships and advanced training in the Czech Republic. Together, the teams have treated more than 260 patients and performed over 270 surgeries in paediatric cardiac surgery, traumatology and ENT, with neonatology specialists joining this year.

“For the first time in Zambia and with help of MEDEVAC, first Zambian patient received a cochlear implant here in Lusaka. A life-changing intervention indeed,” Kyrian said.

Leader of the Czech team and Consultant ENT Surgeon Prof. Zdeněk Čada described cochlear implantation as a significant advancement in treating severe hearing loss, offering patients the possibility of accessing sound and supporting speech and language development.

UTH Adult Hospital Head Clinical Care Dr Humphrey Kunda said the achievement helps address gaps in specialised expertise that have forced patients to seek treatment abroad. He expressed confidence that continued capacity building will enable the hospital to perform such procedures independently in future.

The surgery was among complex cases planned for the fourth ENT surgical camp at UTH Adult Hospital from October 8 to 16, 2026, during which 56 patients have been scheduled for surgery.

UTH said the camp is also strengthening local skills through knowledge transfer and practical engagement with visiting specialists.

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