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The Ministry of Health has announced plans to gradually adopt digitalization to improve access to medical services while ensuring inclusivity.
Wanga Zulu, Chief Community Health Officer, explained that Zambia’s literacy rate stood at approximately 66 percent.
To accommodate the remaining 34 percent who may face barriers to digital services, the ministry would implement digital tools incrementally rather than a full transition.
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In an interview with Zambia Monitor in Lusaka on Monday, Zulu highlighted that this approach aligned with the Ministry’s policy of “leaving no one behind.”
She stressed that the incorporation of digital technology would not detract from the comprehensiveness and patient-centered nature of health services, particularly for those without smartphones.
Zulu also introduced a new “self-care package,” designed to help the public manage certain health issues independently.
The package would provide guidance on handling situations such as fire burns.
However, Zulu clarified that this package was meant to complement, not replace, professional medical care.
“The self-care package will offer valuable instructions, but it is not intended to replace the need for formal medical services provided by trained and licensed professionals,” she stated.
She added that the Ministry of Health remained committed to integrating digital tools while ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their access to technology, receive adequate care.
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