2022-2026 Zambia National Health Strategic Plan - Towards Attainment of Quality Universal Health Coverage Through Decentralisation

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia

Zambia’s Ministry of Health outlines a 2022–2026 National Health Strategic Plan focused on strengthening prevention and Primary Health Care to accelerate progress toward quality Universal Health Coverage. The plan addresses high burdens of communicable diseases, maternal, child and adolescent health challenges, rising noncommunicable diseases, and the COVID-19 response. It emphasizes prioritized interventions under resource constraints, improving access through infrastructure, essential medicines, health workforce availability, scaled financing, and stronger leadership and governance, supported by multi-sector collaboration to reduce social determinants of health.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages150

Reading Time6 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ACRONYMS

TABLE OF FIGURES

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 INTRODUCTION

1.2 BACKGROUND

Republic of Zambia Ministry of Health 2022-2026 National Health Strategic Plan “Towards Attainment of Quality Universal Health Coverage Through Decentralisation” FOREWORD Zambia, like many other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, is faced witha high burden of disease, especially: maternal, child and adolescent health problems; communicable diseases (Malaria, HIV/AIDS, SexuallyTransmitted Infections (STIs), Tuberculosis (TB), COVID-19, among others, and a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) . Even though there has been progress in selected health indicators, particularly for maternal and child health, thisprogresshas been inadequate and belowthe targets. This strategic plan focuses on addressing the health sector challengesand accelerating progress towards attainment of the national and global health goals, aimed at ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare to all in Zambia, asclosetothe family as possible, Leaving No One Behind. This is expected to lead to the attainment of the SustainableDevelopmentGoals (SDGs), particularly the targets underSDG 3“Good health and wellbeing for all”, other health-related SDG targets, and ultimately, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) . Further, the plan is inline with, and seeksto contribute to the national development agenda, as outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and the Vision 2030, which expressesthe Zambian people's aspiration to become “a prosperousmiddle-income nation by 2030” It also resonateswith theUnited Party for National Development (UPND) government's strategic socio-economic development agenda, focused on expanding coverage and improving the quality of healthservicesprovided to ourpeople. The Plan recognizes that all health care interventions are critical, however, due to the constraintson available resourcesand capabilities, interventions need tobe prioritized. In this respect, the main focus is on strengthening prevention; Primary Health Care (PHC), health promotion, public health security and nutrition. This will be done by increasing access to quality health services through infrastructure development, ensuring timely, adequate and equitableavailability of qualityessential medicinesand medical supplies, availability of human resource for health, scaling up healthcare financing and strengthening leadership and governance, and other supportingsystems. The country aims to reduce maternal and child mortality rates, malaria, HIV, TB and NCDs incidence among other key health outcomes, and combat COVID-19 through decentralised integrated community and primary healthcare approach. It is acknowledged that, good health is a function of not only health care services, but also other socio-economic factors, such as education, agriculture, housing, water and sanitation, sport and the environment. The Plan, therefore, calls for strong and well-coordinated multi-sectoral collaboration and partnerships, in order to efficiently and effectively address all the social determinants of health, to reduce the disease burden. 2022-2026 National Health Strategic Plan i It ismywish that, with concerted effort and commitment from the Government, Cooperating Partners, NGOs, the private sector; the Civil Society, the Church, traditional and local authorities, communities and other stakeholders, the successful implementation of this Plan will contribute to socioeconomic development of thecountry. I, therefore, implore all stakeholders involved in the implementation of this Plan to fully dedicate themselvesto this important national duty. Hon. SylviaT. Masebo, MP MINISTER OF HEALTH ii 2022-2026 National Health Strategic Plan ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The National Health Strategic Plan (NHSP) 2022–2026 was developed through a consultative process, with broad participation and contributions from various individuals andinstitutions. I, therefore, wish to extend my sincere appreciation to all those whocontributed to thisprocess. Special trib

FAQs

What is the core goal of Zambia’s 2022–2026 National Health Strategic Plan?

To attain quality Universal Health Coverage by strengthening the health system through decentralisation and equitable access to quality healthcare for all in Zambia.

Which health challenges does the plan focus on addressing?

Maternal, child and adolescent health problems; communicable diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB, COVID-19; and the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

How will the plan improve health services across the country?

By prioritizing prevention and Primary Health Care, expanding access to quality services through infrastructure development, ensuring timely essential medicines and medical supplies, strengthening the health workforce, scaling up healthcare financing, and improving leadership and governance, supported by multi-sector collaboration.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia