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The Zambian government has urged stakeholders in the Ministry of Health to sustain and expand investments in community health to improve service delivery, warning against complacency despite recent progress.
Health Minister, Dr Elijah Muchima, advised stakeholders to prioritise increasing support for the community health workforce, aiming for full integration into the national health system.
Muchima shared these remarks at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Tuesday while inaugurating the three-day National Community Health Symposium.
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The symposium, themed “Accelerating Investment in Community Health Programs to Build a Resilient, Responsive, Equitable, and Sustainable Health System,” focused on strategies to enhance community health engagement and service access.
“Community health is not just about delivering services; it is about engaging communities and empowering them to actively participate in their own health,” Muchima stated.
He noted that geographical barriers and limited health infrastructure continued to restrict access to healthcare in many areas.
“Over 60 percent of our population lives in rural areas, with many residing more than 5 kilometers from the nearest health facility. This reality poses a significant barrier to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” he emphasized, calling for accessible and affordable healthcare for all Zambians.
Public Health Director, Bushimbwa Tambatamba, also highlighted the importance of innovative approaches, stressing the need for recognition of community-based volunteers in delivering essential health services.
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