Meet Keynote Speaker Dr. Kunda Mutesu-Kapembwa — COINN Zambia 2025

We are proud to welcome Dr. Kunda Mutesu-Kapembwa as a keynote speaker at COINN Zambia 2025, the leading international conference for neonatal nurses and newborn health professionals.

Dr. Mutesu-Kapembwa shares an inspiring journey—from her neonatal training in South Africa to becoming Zambia’s first public sector neonatologist in 2015. Facing early skepticism and system-level challenges, she remained driven by a clear goal: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of newborns in her home country.

Her leadership has had a direct and measurable impact. By introducing low-cost, life-saving interventions, she helped reduce neonatal mortality at one institution from 35% to 15%. Her efforts show how targeted, resource-sensitive solutions can lead to significant improvements in outcomes.

Dr. Mutesu-Kapembwa has played a key role in shaping Zambia’s national guidelines for neonatal care and resuscitation, ensuring that clinical standards reflect the realities of the country’s healthcare system. She has also been instrumental in developing postgraduate training programs for both medical officers and nurses—critical work in addressing the shortage of skilled neonatal staff.

Her keynote address will highlight the power of perseverance, local innovation, and policy leadership in advancing newborn care. She also brings an important voice to the conversation about the need for self-care and sustainability for healthcare workers on the frontlines.

Join us in Lusaka this August to hear her speak on leadership, innovation, and strengthening newborn care in resource-limited settings.

📍 Join us in Lusaka, Zambia

📅 14th–15th of August, 2025

🔗 Register now: https://www.coinnurses.org/coinn-zambia-2025