The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) and Teledoctor Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that marks the beginning of a transformative partnership aimed at reshaping the future of healthcare in Zambia.

The MoU, made possible through CIDRZ Central Laboratory’s unique position as a central pillar of diagnostics and research support in the country, reflects a shared commitment to harness telemedicine, research, and diagnostic technologies to enhance healthcare delivery nationwide, especially in underserved communities.

Delivering his remarks at the signing ceremony, CIDRZ Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nana Appiah Qua-Enoo, said the MoU was more than just a formal agreement but also “a key initiative aimed at promoting data-driven decision-making to guide national health policies and ensure that interventions are both effective and evidence-based,”

He said the CIDRZ Central Laboratory’s partnership with Teledoctor will champion quality service delivery by integrating technology and research to transform lives and improve health outcomes across the country.

Malango Goma, Chief Operations Officer at Teledoctor Zambia, expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to bring healthcare closer to families.

“Teledoctor is a solution that connects people to expert healthcare providers through a free mobile app,” Goma explained. “With this partnership, we aim to bring laboratory services closer to the community, and we are excited to offer a comprehensive corporate wellness package, especially in the area of diagnostics.”

Meanwhile, CIDRZ Chief Scientific Officer Dr Monde Muyoyeta encouraged the team to actively combat antibiotic resistance through increased community sensitisation and education.

“As infectious disease professionals, we are uniquely positioned to advocate for the appropriate use of antimicrobials, improving patient care, reducing healthcare costs, and safeguarding the long-term effectiveness of life-saving treatments,” she explained.

And CIDRZ Central Laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager Mr Mathews Siulapwa highlighted the laboratory’s scope, which spans several critical disciplines, positioning it as a key contributor to clinical diagnostics and research in Zambia.

He said the laboratory offers a wide array of specialised diagnostics including Mycobacteriology, Molecular Biology, Safety tests and research services designed to support quality healthcare delivery in Zambia.

“In Molecular Biology, we carry out conventional and real-time PCR testing, quantify viral concentrations using automated platforms, and perform sequencing for accurate disease detection and monitoring,” he said.

He added that the CIDRZ Central Laboratory also runs Clinical Research Site Labs for research purposes, which support participant screening and specialised studies.

The CIDRZ Central Laboratory was established in 2001, shortly after the organisation was founded, as one of the key facilities of the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia. Currently operating across three main sites, including the main laboratory located in Lusaka’s Kalingalinga area, two additional labs situated opposite the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka and the Ndola Teaching Hospital in Ndola, the Laboratory goes beyond routine diagnostics by supporting research efforts through sample processing and storage, Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) isolation, biobanking, and sample shipping facilitation.