By David Banda, iCCM Lead Trainer
My name is David Banda, a Clinical Officer by profession, working with the Ministry of Health under Luano District Health Office (DHO) in Zambia. I serve as the HIV/TB/Leprosy/STI and Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) Coordinator, and I am also a proud Community Advisory Committee Member for Zambia Rainbow Development Foundation (ZRDF).
Over the years, I have been privileged to serve in various leadership roles within our district — including Facility In-Charge, Acting Hospital Administrator, Acting District Health Information Officer, and Clinical Care Officer. Each position has given me a deeper appreciation of the challenges faced at every level of our health system and strengthened my commitment to improving healthcare delivery in our communities.
In the past five years, I have trained and provided technical support to over 1,000 community health workers across Zambia. This work has been deeply rewarding, knowing that we are equipping frontline workers with the skills and knowledge they need to save lives. It makes me incredibly proud to be part of such a vital and impactful program — a program that is truly changing lives.
One initiative that has been particularly transformative is Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM). iCCM is a true game changer. In rural areas where long distances and limited resources often prevent people from accessing timely medical care, iCCM brings healthcare closer to the people. It helps address critical issues such as:
- Reducing the barriers of distance and access in underserved areas
- Promoting health and preventing diseases and deaths at the community level
- Encouraging better health-seeking behaviors among community members
As someone deeply involved in iCCM training, I have seen firsthand how empowering community health workers with the right tools and knowledge dramatically improves health outcomes — especially for vulnerable populations like children under five.
To me, Rotary is like a family without borders — a global network of people with a shared positive agenda: improving the quality of life for all humanity. Through projects like this, Rotary shows the power of collective action and compassion in transforming communities.
I am truly grateful to Rotary for its leadership and funding of these programs, and for believing in the power of community-led health initiatives. Together, we are making a real difference in Zambia — one community at a time.
Thank you, Rotary, for improving lives.
David Banda (left) with RHCC Project Officer Peter Ng’andu during iCCM training
David Banda in training