Bayer And Zambia’s Ministry Of Health Officially Hand Over Munzele Health Centre, Expanding Access To Care For 10,000+ Residents In Kabwe

• New EUR 125,000 investment brings quality primary healthcare within reach of communities near Bayer’s Munga Ward operations, eliminating a 20km travel barrier to basic care
• The project forms part of Bayer’s broader One-Africa narrative, “Health for All, Hunger for None,” which links the company’s Crop Science operations

Bayer AG and the Zambia Ministry of Health, together with the Central Province Administration and the Municipality of Kabwe, have officially handed over the Munzele Health Centre (also known as the CEM/Kabwe Community Health Centre) to the local community during a ceremony held this week at the facility in Munga Ward, Kabwe, Central Province. The event, attended by government officials, traditional and community leaders, development partners, and Bayer representatives, marks the completion of Phase 1 of the health centre — an outpatient department (OPD) built with a EUR 125,000 investment from Bayer – situated just 5km from the company’s EUR 32 million Itaba maize processing plant in Munga Ward.

The health centre responds directly to a documented healthcare access gap in the area. Communities living near Bayer’s Itaba site have historically had to travel up to 20km to reach basic healthcare services, a burden compounded by Kabwe’s 2.8% annual population growth, a high communicable disease burden, limited access to maternal and child health services, and environmental health challenges including respiratory and waterborne disease. The Munzele Health Centre was conceived as a direct, locally grounded response to these pressures, designed and delivered through a public-private partnership model rather than a stand-alone corporate donation.

Under this partnership model, the Zambia Ministry of Health is providing equipment, staffing, supplies and ongoing operations; the Municipality of Kabwe is contributing infrastructure and utilities, including construction of a maternity wing and water utility services; and the local community is contributing labour, security and Community Health Volunteers. The initiative has also drawn support from a wide network of external partners, including United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the German Embassy, Project Concern Zambia (PCZ), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Zambia, Seed Global Health, First National Bank (FNB), Quantum Scan and Abbott Diagnostics. Together, this collaborative structure is intended to ensure the centre is not only built, but sustainably staffed, supplied and operated for the long term.

The Munzele Health Centre is expected to eliminate the 20km travel barrier to basic healthcare for more than 10,000 residents, while also improving access to care for approximately 200 Bayer employees and their dependents based in Munga Ward. The project forms part of Bayer’s broader One-Africa narrative, “Health for All, Hunger for None,” which links the company’s Crop Science operations – including the adjacent Itaba seed plant in Munga Ward – with its Healthcare mission, demonstrating how agricultural and health investments can reinforce one another within the same community.

“At Bayer, we believe that access to quality healthcare is fundamental to thriving communities. The Munzele Health Centre reflects our commitment to improving health outcomes and creating sustainable impact where it matters most. This is a lasting investment in the wellbeing of the Munzele community by bringing quality healthcare closer to the people who need it most, we are helping to build healthier, more resilient communities and creating opportunities for future generations to thrive,” said Hugo Hagen, Vice President & Head of Global Health Unit, Bayer AG.

“Our presence in Munga Ward has always been about more than production – it is about the people who make this community what it is, including our own colleagues who live and work here. The Munzele Health Centre shows what is possible when a business commitment and a community’s needs move in the same direction: our maize processing investment and this health centre sit five kilometres apart, but they are both expressions of the same belief, that Bayer’s growth in Zambia should be felt directly in the daily lives of the people around us,” commented Mildred Nadah Pita, Vice President, Head Public Affairs Sustainability Africa.

“For many years, people in Kabwe have had to travel long distances to access essential healthcare services. This new facility brings care closer to the community, offering outpatient and maternity services, with future plans for a theatre and trauma centre. Its strategic location along the dual carriageway will ensure more people can access quality healthcare when they need it most,” added Dr. Evaristo Chanda, Kabwe District Health Director.