Zambia Health Ministry Praises FAH Support for PHC
The Ministry of Health has commended the Financing Alliance for Health (FAH) for its ongoing commitment to strengthening Zambia’s health sector and advancing the country’s Primary Health Care (PHC) priorities.
Speaking during a courtesy call by an FAH delegation, Health Minister Dr Elijah Muchima praised the organisation for aligning with the Ministry’s vision of PHC as the foundation for equitable access to quality health services.
He highlighted the central role of an integrated PHC approach in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3, which focuses on good health and well-being for all.
Dr Muchima expressed gratitude for FAH’s support, which has contributed to national health priorities and extended technical assistance beyond community health to broader PHC and health financing interventions.
He noted that while Zambia has made progress in improving maternal and child health, sustained collaboration among stakeholders remains essential to meet national targets.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s strong domestic commitment, pointing to a 16 per cent increase in funding for Primary Health Care programmes in the 2025 national budget.
FAH Co-Chief Executive Officer, Ms Soleine Scotney, reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to supporting African countries in strengthening community and health financing systems.
She noted that FAH operates in seven African countries and has a Memorandum of Understanding with Africa CDC to enhance community health and PHC across the continent.
Ms Scotney encouraged the Ministry to make the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) system more accessible to the poor, not only to those who make regular contributions.
She added that a joint review by FAH, the Ministry, and NHIMA identified practical measures to expand National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage to the informal sector, marking a key step toward achieving Zambia’s UHC goals.
