About Zambia College of Medicine and Surgery (ZACOMS)
The Zambia College of Medicine and Surgery (ZACOMS) is a non-profit making organization that was registered with the Registrar of Societies in Zambia on 17th November 2017. It was created as a result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) and the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).
The College was formed in response to a critical shortage of specialists in the country and the ensuing contribution to increasing health inequalities that this has had. ZACOMS aims to bridge this gap by advancing professional training of medical specialists using the competence – based certification models beyond traditional university – based specialist training. Simply put, this model works on the principle that every environment good enough to allow a Specialist to practice has the basic requirements to train a Specialist of a similar kind. The multiplier effect that this has entails that as a country, Zambia stands a chance of producing adequate numbers of specialists for the country in next to no time. This should see the Country equitably increase the access to Specialist care throughout the country and reasonably reduce health inequalities.
The College is further involved in the continuous professional development of Specialists and other health workers through the provision of various continuous medical education (CMEs) activities.
ZACOMS’ Mission Statement
To advance professional competence-based specialist training for medical doctors beyond traditional university-based specialist training in order to increase equitable access to cost-effective quality specialist care as close to the family as possible for the people of Zambia.
ZACOMS’ Objectives
ZACOMS pursues a collaborative approach to competence-based specialist training and provision of CMEs to form a solid foundation for successful medical careers and improved health care service delivery.
The College objectives include:
- 1Promoting the health and wellbeing of people in Zambia.
- 2Increasing the number of specialists in Zambia as a means to improved health care service delivery.
- 3Establishing an organizational framework that certifies professional competence in various specialties where excellence in health care service delivery is valued and promoted.
- 4Establishing an organizational framework in which specialists can belong to a specialty community of practice and receive targeted continuous professional development and as such increase their prospects for a successful career and quality contribution to health care service delivery.
- 5Establishing strategic partnerships with local, regional and international organizations, including medical regulatory authorities, in order to promote best practices and mutual recognition of its trainees and fellows.
