After five incredible years with On Call Africa, I have made the difficult decision to step down from my role as CEO in March 2025. As we reach a critical stage of growth, I feel it’s important to have a CEO who is proximate to our work, driving it forward and ensuring alignment with the needs of the Zambian Health System. I remain passionate about our work and am committed to ensuring a smooth transition over the next 10 months. We aim to have a new CEO in place as soon as possible to facilitate a seamless handover before I move on.
As an organisation, we’ve been exploring what localization means for On Call Africa and are excited to be looking to recruit a new CEO based in Zambia. This aligns with our broader plans to empower decision-making by those closer to our work. This decision coincides with our ongoing efforts to increase Zambian representation on our board of trustees.
I am incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the last five years and grateful to all our partners, funders, and supporters who have made it all possible. We’ve transformed our work and increased our income from £119,000 per annum in 2019 to a projected £1.4 million in 2024. During this period, we’ve transitioned from an organization that delivered health services to one that drives health system strengthening by implementing innovative programs co-produced with the Zambian Ministry of Health (MOH), health workers, and communities. Some of my personal highlights over the last five years include:
- Supporting the MOH to develop national guidelines for CHWs and continuation of TB services protocols during the pandemic.
- Helping to shape national standards for WASH in healthcare facilities and piloting these in 20 healthcare facilities in Western Province.
- Supporting the development of a new national standardised Community Health Worker Programme for the Zambian health system and becoming the first organisation to pilot this.
- Developing a rural health facility assessment tool to support MOH-led assessment of the functionality of rural health systems.
- Working with Kazungula District Health Office to set up a solar-powered chlorine production unit to provide disinfectant and water purification to 27 rural healthcare facilities.
- The development and implementation of our holistic health facility infrastructure improvement programme.
Most importantly, I am proud of the fantastic team we have established and the work culture we have created. Having joined the organization when we had only three staff members, it has been great to see the team grow to 21 highly skilled and passionate individuals.
I’m pleased to hand over the reins at a time when we’re in a strong financial position and poised for significant growth in both income and impact. We have an excellent team in place delivering exciting work in partnership with the Zambian Ministry of Health. I eagerly anticipate what’s next for the organisation and I will continue to be a passionate supporter of On Call Africa’s work.
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