The National Health Research and Training Institute (NHRTI) and the Zambia Army have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in advancing health research, innovation and capacity development.
NHRTI Director-General Dr. Gershom Chongwe said the agreement provides an opportunity for the two institutions to work together on solutions to current and emerging health issues in Zambia, while serving the general public.
He said the agreement is deliberately broad, supporting collaboration across infectious diseases, field epidemiology, surveillance, disaster preparedness and health capacity building.
The Zambia Army Director-General for Research and Development, Brigadier General Emmanuel Chilala Choonya, noted that emerging diseases and other public health challenges require an integrated, multidisciplinary and evidence-based response. He emphasised that health security is an indispensable component of national security.
He described the partnership as founded on a shared commitment to research, innovation, capacity development and the advancement of healthcare for the benefit of the Zambia Defence Force and the Republic of Zambia.
The partnership marks an important step towards strengthening collaboration between the health research and defence sectors, with the potential to advance health security, research capacity and evidence-based responses to emerging and existing public health challenges.