60 Kilometres from Care: Reaching Zambia’s Hardest-to-Reach Communities Through Sport

Sport has the power to change the world. Sport In Action, in partnership with Churches Health Association of Zambia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health with support from GAVI, used the power of sport to conduct the Big Catch Up tournament across 6 districts in the Southern and Western Province of Zambia.

The initiative provided a platform for the Ministry of Health officials to bring vital health services closer to the communities that cannot easily access health facilities.

In Kasangala, Itezhi Tezhi district, with a total population of 1,637 spread across 15 villages, people have to move 60 kilometres to and from Kasangala to Kauka health facility, located in Itezhi Tezhi National Park. This is a reality that not only poses a risk on their lives with a 60 to 80% chance of fatal human-animal conflict, but during the rainy season, the district is completely cut off from Itezhi Tezhi, making it hard to provide necessary health services.

The tournament drew a turnout of over 798 community members, creating an opportunity for health workers to deliver critical services on the ground. 23 girls were immunised against HPV, 5 children received Big Catch Up immunisations, and 3 zero-dose children were reached and vaccinated for the very first time.

Itezhi-Tezhi District Health Director, Dr. Joseph Tembo expressed gratitude and highlighted the importance of such collaborations in ensuring that health services are accessible to all.

“Kasangala is underserved and hard to reach. I am happy and grateful that SIA and all its partners made it possible for us to reach and provide the health services,” he said.

“We rely on such partnerships and donors and we understand that we cannot do it alone. We are always ready to welcome partners,” he emphasised.

Sport In Action project manager, George Kakomwe, thanked the DHO for their support through the provision of a vehicle and staff. He further went on to plea that, to ensure that the next generation is well equipped with the right health information, there is a need to always include young people in the planning.

Through sports platforms created by SIA and collaborations plus support from the partners, we are able to get to hard-to-reach places in the remotest parts of the country to ensure that everyone gets an equal opportunity to access medical services, vaccinations and immunisations for young people and children who are the next generation.

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