15/04/2026
PRESS STATEMENT
Issued by: Counselling Association Of Zambia-CAZ
Date: 15th April 2026
SUBJECT: Call for Fair Recruitment and Employment of Professional Counsellors in the Public Service
The Counselling Association of Zambia (CAZ) expresses deep concern that in the recent recruitment of health workers by the Government of the Republic of Zambia, no professional counsellors were considered for employment.
As an association mandated to promote counselling standards and mental health in Zambia, we are disappointed that the Ministry of Health and Government continue to overlook this critical cadre. Counsellors play vital roles in addressing the psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral challenges facing our nation, yet their contribution remains unrecognized in public sector recruitment.
We urge the Government to uphold fairness, equity, and inclusivity in the recruitment process. The exclusion of counsellors undermines national efforts to combat mental health disorders, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, gender-based violence, trauma, and other social ills that require specialized psychosocial support.
KEY DUTIES OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLORS
1. Mental Health Services – Provide assessment, counselling, and referral for conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and suicidal ideation.
2. HIV & Adherence Counselling – Offer pre-test and post-test counselling, adherence support, and partner notification services.
3. Substance Use Intervention – Deliver prevention, treatment, and relapse-prevention counselling for alcohol and drug dependence.
4. Crisis & Trauma Response – Manage cases of GBV, grief, disaster trauma, and su***de risk.
5. School & Career Guidance – Support learners with academic challenges, career choices, and behavioral concerns.
6. Family & Marriage Counselling – Strengthen family systems, resolve conflict, and promote child welfare.
7. Community Psychoeducation – Conduct awareness programs to reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behavior.
EFFECTIVENESS AND VALUE IN GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES
When deployed, counsellors significantly enhance service delivery across sectors:
- Ministry of Health: Reduce patient load on clinicians by managing psychosocial cases, improving ART adherence, and supporting maternal and child health outcomes.
- Ministry of Education: Lower dropout rates, address exam anxiety, teenage pregnancy, and bullying, improving learner retention and performance.
- Ministry of Community Development & Social Services: Strengthen case management for vulnerable children, persons with disabilities, and survivors of abuse.
- Ministry of Home Affairs & Internal Security: Provide rehabilitation for inmates, counselling for survivors of crime, and debriefing for officers exposed to trauma.
- Ministry of Youth, Sport & Arts: Address youth mental health, substance abuse, and life-skills development for national productivity.
Evidence from countries with integrated counselling services shows reduced hospitalization, improved treatment outcomes, lower crime and GBV rates, and higher economic productivity. Investing in counsellors is cost-effective and aligns with Zambia’s National Health Strategic Plan, Vision 2030, and the goal of Universal Health Coverage.
CAZ THEREFORE CALLS ON THE GOVERNMENT TO:
1. Create and fund established positions for counsellors in all relevant ministries.
2. Include counsellors in all future health and social sector recruitments.
3. Engage CAZ in the workforce planning to ensure quality and professional standards.
We remain committed to dialogue and collaboration with the Government to serve the Zambian people.
Issued by:
Counselling Association of Zambia (CAZ)
Promoting Professional Counselling for a Healthier Zambia
