Medical Training with a Difference

WHO WE ARE

This is our story

Petcha College of Health Sciences is the training institution for Petcha - Centre for Complementary Medicine Studies which was established as a non-governmental, not-for-profit, organization, registered under section 7(1) of societies act of the laws of Zambia in 2005, and as a business with Patents and Companies Registration Agency, in 2014 as Zinare Centre for Complimentary Medicine Studies, later changed to Petcha Centre for Complimentary Medicine Studies in 2017.

PETCHA runs a Naturopathic and Clinical Medicine School and a Center for Research in Natural Medicines. Registered with the Patents and Companies Registration Agency as a business name, the institution has commenced registration also with Health Professionals Council of Zambia. Registered with National Science and Technology Council as a Research and development Institution, the institute is also accredited to City University College of Science and Technology (CUST) through a memorandum of understanding, as well as Ministry of Health at Kasama, Mongu and Choma General Hospital as well as Mansa, Mwense, Kawambwa and Nchelenge District Health Offices for Student Practicum sites, through a memorandum of understanding.

VISION STATEMENT:

To see integrated Health care approaches implemented in the mainline Health-care System by fully trained , competent practitioners trained within the Zambian context in Zambian Institutions and practicing the most advanced naturopathic system of health care nurtured and developed through equitable and efficient Zambian researched medical products and devices.

MISSION STATEMENT:

PETCHA is committed to being the professional's institution in Zambia, producing excellency in Naturopathic, clinical and Medical Education, Clinical Practice, Traditional Medicine Science and Research to contribute to the National Health Strategic Plan.

To train physicians of naturopathic medicine and allied professions nationally and regionally, participate in local and international debates, advocate for an end to mystical medicine, promote natural and clinical medicines that are safe, efficacious and of good quality and work with the government of Zambia in the regulation of complementary and alternative medicine.

Our institution is an indigenous Research and Development institution collaborating with National Health Research Authority and National Science and Technology Council, participating at National Science and Health fairs and foras in the category Medicine.

We have been winning at exhibitions against well established and equipped government institutions, through our scientifically researched natural medicines for Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases, Prostate and Cervical Cancers, and all cancers, Epilepsy, Sickle cell anemia as well as HIV and AIDS.

We have been pioneers in the field of Naturopathic research, education and health care, developing our own curricula and training tools and our students perform tremendously in conventional government hospitals. We are also developing textbooks for students of Clinical Medicine and other courses.

We currently have three training programs at our campuses. These include,Health Assistants, Clinical Officers and Naturopathic Physicians (Doctors). Health Assistants train for one year in community skills, primary healthcare and natural medicine obtaining a certificate, through 4 months of theory and 8 months hospital practicals. Clinical Officers train for 3 years in Clinical Medicine, obtaining a diploma and Naturopathic Doctors train for 5 years and obtain a Bachelors degree.

We draw our students from the so many school leavers who in-spite of their good grades can not find space in the already overcrowded public institutions. Our training is unique because we have in-cooperated Natural Medicine alongside the normal medical training that other students get from private and public institutions alike.

In addition we carry out research in natural medicines, equipment and procedures so we can tap into our vast natural medicine resource to develop quality, safe and efficacious medicines for our people. We have been training since 2013 and have graduated many students in naturopathy at certificate level who are involved in the health sector. Since most of the colleges are located within urban areas, our vision is to start and run moderate campuses around the country in all the 10 provinces that will offer education closer to the people and reduce on their cost of education.

Small changes with a big difference

Most people tend to only associate themselves with big already established institutions and are very unwilling to join with small new institutions. That is perfectly normal and okay with us as our aim is for mere presence but for overall effect and impact that we make in the lives of those struggling to have access to higher education even with their good results. The little that we do contribute in their lives goes a long way in impacting their lives. To us, that is a plus driving us forward.