Health authorities in Seychelles have reached an agreement to expedite the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Zambia, aiming to facilitate the recruitment of Zambian health professionals to work in the island nation.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Seychelles’ Ministry of Health revealed that Minister Peggy Vidot and her Zambian counterpart, Sylvia Masebo, forged this agreement during a meeting held on the sidelines of the 73rd Regional Committee of the Africa region of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The MoU will not only pave the way for the recruitment of Zambian doctors to Seychelles but will also enable the training of Seychellois health professionals in Zambia. This initiative comes in response to Seychelles’ shortage of health personnel, while Zambia possesses a surplus. Discussions surrounding this collaboration have been underway since the beginning of this year.
According to the 2022 Annual Health Sector Performance Report, Seychelles had 514 doctors registered with the Seychelles Medical and Dental Council (SMDC) by the end of 2022. However, only 22 percent of them were Seychellois nationals, and approximately 241 doctors were professionally active within Seychelles that year.
Seychelles provides free primary health care in state institutions to all its citizens, in accordance with Article 29 of its Constitution.
During her meeting, Minister Vidot highlighted the potential benefits of the MoU, including broader cooperation, the sharing of best practices, and capacity building.
Minister Vidot also held discussions with Rwanda’s Health Minister, Sabin Nsanzimana, to follow up on an MoU signed during talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in June.
Vidot and Nsanzimana reached an agreement for a delegation from Seychelles’ health ministry to visit Rwanda. This visit will provide Seychelles with insights into Rwanda’s health training facilities, primary health care system, and the utilization of its electronic health information system, among other aspects.
This collaborative effort involving Seychelles, Rwanda, and Zambia signifies a new approach by Seychelles’ Ministry of Health, aimed at fostering closer cooperation with high-performing developing countries.
The 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa was held in Gaborone, Botswana, from August 28th to September 1st.
