Lusaka Nursing Institute: Trains the brains

The LNI is a company limited by guarantee, operating a not-for-profit school that provides affordable, high quality nursing education. The operational budgets will break even when 200 students have been admitted - and stayed on. In 2006-2007, the LNI will retain the reasonable margin it makes on the education provided. These surpluses will be reinvested in the school. For larger investments (construction, teaching materials, etc.), to allow the school to reach 200+ students, external sources are being approached. One important aim is to increase the management’s ability to create its own network for additional funding and management assistance.
Extra-curricular evening classes will provide surplus income, without pressure on existing facilities, increasing earnings for teachers simultaneously. Future expansion of the school’s programme will offer other paramedical courses and will further increase income and profit.

Our clients are young Zambians who have finished grade 12 (with credits in 5 subjects), and are keen to get the most out of their education because they pay for it. They are encouraged to speak out on all matters that influence the quality of their education. This provides an important source of feedback to the management.
Value for money: Tuition fees are kept relatively low, whilst quality of education is monitored continuously. The LNI is establishing sponsorships, since many candidates are willing and qualified, but cannot pay for the essential cost of the education. Sponsors can contribute either person-to-person or through a general training fund, supplemented by international organisations and individuals. The first pledges have been made.
Based on the current enrolment, we foresee 40+ students being admitted in July. As of the end of 2006, we are confident we shall be able to attract up to 100 students a year, bringing the school population to 200 students within two years.

The LNI offers direct employment to 16 people. Currently, there are 4 part time lecturers. Employment will increase along with the number of students, up to 18 permanent and 8 part time staff in 2007.

Investment needed (‘06-‘07) is estimated at € 90.000, covering expansion of school buildings, furniture, teaching materials, books, computers, broadband Internet, etc.

The founders have contributed over €20.000 against starting losses, which has made the first steps possible. Now the school will have to build its reputation, by attracting potential students. We are recruiting through in- and outbound processes: advertising in Zambia’s printed media, distributing brochures and posters and using electronic media. Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool in Zambia: we receive enquiries daily from all over the country.

There are 29 government and missionary nursing schools, which mainly cater for regional needs. In Lusaka, the University Teaching Hospital enrols approximately 200 students annually. Nonetheless, the LNI attracted an overwhelming response: enrolment in August 2005 was 200 applications. Last January, 300 potential students applied!
Another private nursing school has recently opened in Lusaka. They charge twice as much as the LNI, and received only four applicants.

The quality of education has top priority. We will demonstrate that this private approach not only works, but also works better. We see this as a responsibility to the country, and more particularly to our students. Paying students expect value for money. We consider it our obligation to ensure that the best applicable knowledge, teaching methods and materials are available.

Relationships are being established. The General Nursing Council (the state institution that regulates these matters), fully supports our initiative with administrative guidance. Private and government clinics have opened their doors for internships.
In the Netherlands the ‘Getu Foundation’ (www.getufoundation.nl) is our direct partner, which provides financial assistance donated by the general public. It assists in bringing people, materials and ideas together in support of the school. External funding for short and long term investments and expansion is sought with various private companies and with development organisations.

The grass is always greener; the brain drain will affect our graduates unless alternatives are provided. Plans are being developed to safeguard ‘our’ nurses for Zambia. Zambian Law provides opportunities in a regulatory way. The LNI intends to make their work in Zambia more attractive through coaching for specialisations, by enhancing the graduates’ interest in their own region and by offering repayment of tuition fees per worked period in Zambia.

In most cases, nurses are the most expert level of medical help that Zambians will encounter during their lifetime. But health services are deteriorating. HIV/AIDS undermines the whole of society, including the medical profession. Every year, 3.5% of nurses in Zambia die from AIDS-related illnesses. To compensate, many more nurses need to be trained annually. 20% of the population is HIV positive. There are 690 doctors registered in a population of 11 million inhabitants. With only 22,000 nurses, where 44,000 are needed, the country faces an acute shortage of medical staff.

The LNI will contribute to one of the key factors in the fight against any disease and for proper patient care in Zambia: human capital. Without enough properly trained medical staff, neither care nor medicine will reach the present and future patients. In 2008, the first nurses will graduate. From 2009, we intend to contribute 100 nurses annually to the Zambian health care system.

The school intends to grow to 300 students by 2009. By that time, the staff will have increased to 25 full-time employees and 10 part-time lecturers. The LNI will offer lodging for students from outside Lusaka by renting out accommodation where another 10-15 people will find employment as guards and cleaners. We also intend to expand our services by offering meals at the school; this will employ another 5-7 people.

Development in African countries requires education and capable human beings, as well as international knowledge and financial backup. Income from tuition fees will be around €430,000 in 2009. Other sources of income may be provided by additional paramedical trainings (midwifery, physiotherapy). But all this will not fully cover the investments needed for the institute’s expansion. External and international funding remains necessary. The LNI is building partnerships with development organisations and individuals all over the world, to support our work with ideas, contacts, materials and cash. Twinning with schools in Europe and the USA will improve teaching programmes and quality.
Through education of health care workers at the LNI, all Zambians will benefit from the improved levels of medical services both now and in the future…