How Much Does a Public Health Worker Make in Zambia?

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The importance of public health is rising in Zambia. Although the country has made considerable improvements in reducing major health concerns, the shortage of public health workers and the unequal distribution of health services remain an issue.

In this article, you’ll learn about building a career through an online Masters in Public Health course—how to be a public health professional, career scope, growth, and benefits. 

What Is Public Health?

According to Wikipedia, public health is defined as the science of preventing disease and improving the quality of life of individuals, organizations, and society through organized efforts. In general, public health jobs involve protecting and promoting the health of entire populations. It can be achieved by researching disease and injury prevention, detecting and treating infectious diseases, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

As a public health online professional, your job will be to prevent health problems from happening. You would do this by implementing educational programs, recommending policies, and managing health services.

Public Health in Zambia

Despite Zambia’s excellent progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, it still remains the primary cause of death in the country. Zambia still faces a generalized HIV pandemic with an estimated prevalence rate in adults being 13.5%. Diseases like malaria and cholera are also the major causes of hospitalization in the country.

The Zambian government has made significant efforts to combat the increasing public health concerns. In September 2000, Zambia was one of the 189 members of the UN that signed the Millennium Declaration. The declaration was a pledge to end extreme poverty and deprivation by the end of 2015. Zambia pledged to address the following challenges:

• Eliminate extreme poverty and hunger
• Provide universal primary education
• Empower women and promote gender equality
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat diseases like HIV, malaria, and other diseases
• Work towards environmental sustainability

Out of these goals, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combat diseases relate specifically to public health.

And Zambia has made significant progress in achieving these goals. Over the past decade, Zambia has seen a 30% reduction in child mortality.

There have been slight improvements in HIV reduction, too. In 2018, HIV prevalence in Zambia was 11.3%, which equates to a 13% reduction in new infection since 2010.

Besides, Zambia’s NCD strategic plan also includes attempts in reducing diseases like cholera, malaria, cancers, and more.

While the country has shown positive results in improving the overall healthcare system, several issues still need to be addressed.

Inequality in public healthcare delivery remains to be one of the major concerns. There are close to 1,500 health facilities in Zambia, most of which are owned by the public sector. More than 55% of the Zambian population lives in rural areas. But, a majority of private health facilities are in urban areas, so the rural community has access to only public sector health facilities.

Another challenge is the dire shortage of health professionals in Zambia. The doctor-patient ratio in the country is 1 doctor per 12,000 people as opposed to the WHO’s acceptable standard of 1 doctor per 5,000 people.

Thankfully, the government is investing heavily in infrastructure, creating significant opportunities for public health professionals. This makes pursuing a Masters in Public Health in Zambia a highly rewarding career option. 

Scope and Demand for Public Health Workers in Zambia

In a country like Zambia, which is determined to fight public health issues, the demand for public health workers is high. Despite several improvements in public health, the country still struggles with issues like infectious diseases, child mortality, and maternal problems. But lately, Zambia has surged its investments in the public health sector.

The Zambia UK Health Workforce Alliance has supported Zambia’s efforts to improve public health. This increase in funding and global support has encouraged public and private organizations to invest in public health workers.

There are countless career opportunities for public health online workers in both the public and private sectors.

To become a public health professional, you’ll require a Master’s degree in Public Health. BPH degree holders, along with graduates in Biology, Anthropology, Public Policy, Psychology, Sociology, and Medicine, can apply for an MPH degree program. MPH degree holders can get public health jobs in a wide range of organizations in both the public and private sectors, such as:

• Government agencies, like CDC and NIH
• Non-profit organizations, like WHO, American Red Cross
• Healthcare organizations, like public and private hospitals
• Educational institutions, both public and private

Career Growth and Salary of Public Health Workers in Zambia

Public health jobs in Zambia are highly rewarding. Skilled MPH graduates can take up roles as epidemiologists, consultants, coordinators, or public health analysts. Salaries range significantly depending on experience, with senior roles offering excellent pay. This is why fulfilling the Masters in Public Health requirements and earning the qualification can open multiple career opportunities with competitive salaries.

Role	Average Monthly Salary (ZMW)
Public Health Specialist	10,100
Public Health Specialist	10,100
Epidemiologist	9,690
Health Unit Coordinator	4,120
Healthcare Consultant	8,540
Public Health Analyst	10,300
Health Compliance Director	13,800
Registered Nurse	4,690
Public Health Social Worker	2,950

In Zambia, an Environmental Health Practitioner can expect to earn an average salary of around ZMW 9,000 to ZMW 10,000 per month, depending on their level of experience, qualifications, and whether they work in the public or private sector. This places the environmental health salary in Zambia per month within the same range as other mid-to-senior public health roles, such as public health specialists and healthcare consultants.

Apart from being a Public Health Specialist, MPH degree holders can work on various public health jobs, such as:

• Epidemiologist
• Environmental Health Practitioner
• Health Department Administrator
• Environmental Health and Safety Officer
• Health and Safety Consultant
• Environmental Health and Safety Officer

How to Set up a Career in Public Health

Lately, the field of public health in Zambia has grown increasingly competitive. Excellent public health salary and growth projections of up to 12% per year have encouraged degree holders to pursue their careers in public health.

To get public health jobs, you’ll need a degree in public health. In Zambia, there are two public health specializations: Bachelor’s in Public Health (BPH) and Master’s in Public Health (MPH). However, BPH is too common in Zambia now, so you’d need an MPH degree to outshine the competition.

If you are a degree holder of any other discipline, you can still apply for an MPH degree. It is a two-year program that provides the necessary knowledge and experience to become a skilled public health worker.

5 Reasons to Choose a Career in Public Health

Let’s take a look at 5 reasons why you should get an MPH degree from schools offering public health in Zambia.

1.      High demand

Public health professionals are in high demand, not only in Zambia but the rest of the world. If you get a degree in MPH, you’ll never need to worry about job security. As discussed before, you can work on a plethora of job roles as an MPH degree holder.

2.      Excellent public health salary and career growth

In addition to an in-demand profession, public health is also a highly rewarding and profitable career. MPH degree holders with five to ten years of experience in public health are likely to receive excellent public health salaries and growth projections. Even MPH freshers working as consultants and practitioners can make twice more than the average public health salary in Zambia. And if you choose to go abroad, opportunities are endless.

3.      Respectful profession

Public health jobs allow you to serve society. It enables you to bring a positive change in the lives of individuals and organizations. Thus, a career in public health is full of respect and recognition. If you dedicate your time and expertise in fighting a major problem, you’ll get respect from the entire nation.

Besides, this profession also enables you to make a global impact. If you work in backward countries and bring a positive change in the lives of their citizens, you can earn global recognition too.

4.      Service to human

Public health professionals get the opportunity to improve the health and well-being of other people and communities. This career allows you to make a lasting impression to improve society. You can work with NGO’s and non-profit organizations to uplift the disadvantaged population of your country.

Helping others gives a sense of happiness and fulfilment. So, if you’re looking for a satisfying career that provides you with peace of mind, public health is the right pick.

5.      Nationwide impact

A career in public health allows you to create a nationwide impact. You get a chance to work with the leading health organizations or institutions of the country to bring a change. If you want to do something for your country, being a public health professional is an excellent way. You can work closely with government bodies and address some of the most sensitive issues of your country.

MPH Degree Program with Texila American University

Texila American University Masters Programs offer a structured MPH designed to address Africa’s healthcare challenges. This distance-learning model provides flexibility, affordability, and high-quality academic support. 

The program covers vital areas such as epidemiology, nutrition, environmental health, and occupational health, while also giving students practical project experience. By choosing TAU’s MPH, students not only gain skills but also contribute to building a healthier Zambia. 

Public health is one of the fastest-growing professions in the country, and completing a Masters of Public Health with TAU ensures you are fully prepared for both local and global opportunities. 

Key Takeaways from the Public Health program

This BRICS model-based distance learning program empowers you with all the knowledge and expertise required to build your career in public health. This course covers all the essential public health topics, including:

• Environmental health
• Public health policy
• Occupational health
• Public health nutrition
• Epidemiology

In addition to theoretical learning, you will also be a part of project works that will help you develop skills.

Public health is one of the fastest-growing professions in Zambia. With the country focusing a lot improving its public health infrastructure, MPH degree holders are in high demand. If you wish to give your career a defining path, check out schools offering public health in Zambia, like TAU.

We wish you luck and hope you’ll have a successful career in public health.

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