Zambia Marks World Health Day 2026 with Focus on Science-Driven Healthcare
Zambia has joined the global community in commemorating World Health Day, with a renewed commitment to strengthening quality healthcare through science and innovation.
Held under the localised theme “Together for Quality Health: Informed by Science,” the commemoration brought together stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector and international organisations to promote evidence-based healthcare delivery.
Minister of Health, Alex Katakwe, described the theme as a call to action to move beyond access and prioritise quality, equity and scientific integrity in healthcare services.
He stressed that delivering quality healthcare requires collaboration among policymakers, healthcare providers and communities.
Dr Katakwe highlighted Zambia’s progress in disease surveillance, diagnostic services and specialised care, including heart procedures at the National Heart Hospital and kidney transplants at the University Teaching Hospital.
He also noted the expansion of immunisation programmes protecting against more than 14 vaccine-preventable diseases.
Despite these gains, he acknowledged ongoing challenges such as inequalities in access to care, shortages of skilled personnel and the growing threat of misinformation.
He called for increased investment in research, stronger health systems and continued multi-sectoral collaboration.
Representing the Ministry of Technology and Science, Brilliant Habeenzu emphasised the role of innovation and digital transformation in shaping the future of healthcare.
He pointed to advances such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence in diagnostics and digital tools for monitoring drug interactions.
According to the ministry, Zambia has recorded improvements in key health indicators, including a rise in life expectancy from 62 years in 2015 to 67 years in 2025, and enhanced disease surveillance systems.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization Country Representative, Clement Peter Lasuba, underscored the importance of science and the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal and environmental health.
He called for greater investment in research and development, stronger health workforce capacity and enhanced regional cooperation.
Dr Lasuba reaffirmed the WHO’s commitment to supporting Zambia in achieving universal health coverage through science-driven solutions, including local manufacturing of medicines and the use of digital health technologies.
