Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 10th April, 2025.
Muchinga Province, Zambia.
In a concerted effort to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage, Muchinga Province has marked a significant milestone, with over 155,000 residents now enrolled in the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) scheme. This figure translates to 16.9% of the province’s population, laying solid groundwork as the province sets its sights on an ambitious 30% registration target.
With an average of 4.5 beneficiaries per household, the enrolments hold the promise of extending essential healthcare services to thousands of families, strengthening the safety net for communities across the province. The proactive collaboration between the Muchinga Provincial Administration and NHIMA is not only expanding access but is also driving health equity initiatives to ensure that no community is left behind.
Currently, Muchinga Province boasts 17 NHIMA-accredited healthcare facilities, comprising 8 hospitals and 9 mini-hospitals strategically distributed to enhance service delivery. Chinsali District has emerged as a leader in this push, registering an impressive 43.14% coverage rate. The district’s success is attributed to robust community engagement and effective outreach strategies, further supported by the registration of 2,705 members for biometric cards, streamlining healthcare access and reinforcing accountability.
However, challenges persist, particularly in Kanchibiya District, where coverage remains low at just 3.65%. Factors such as difficult terrain, limited network coverage, and lower literacy rates have hindered progress. In response, NHIMA and government authorities are intensifying their efforts through the deployment of mobile registration units to hard-to-reach areas, infrastructure enhancements to improve digital connectivity, and targeted literacy campaigns to simplify the enrolment process.
Speaking on the province’s health drive, Muchinga Provincial leadership praised the momentum in districts like Chinsali but emphasized the urgent need to replicate this success across underperforming regions. “Our mission is clear — to ensure equitable healthcare access for every resident of Muchinga. We are intensifying efforts in districts like Kanchibiya so that no one is left behind,” officials affirmed.
NHIMA continues to play a pivotal role in Zambia’s journey toward universal health coverage, ensuring that affordable, quality healthcare becomes a reality for all. The authority has called on communities to actively participate in ongoing outreach programs to maximize registration and benefit from accredited health services.
As Muchinga Province advances its healthcare transformation agenda, the collaboration between government, NHIMA, and local communities remains vital to building a healthier and more inclusive future for all Zambians.
The Agency.