By Ellen Hambuba Health Minister ROMA CHILENGI says the National Health Insurance Management Authority -NHIMA- is financially unsustainable in its current form and requires urgent restructuring. Professor CHILENGI says NHIMA cannot continue offering health services that it cannot afford to pay for. He says the situation has resulted in some private health facilities withdrawing their […]

By Ellen Hambuba

Health Minister ROMA CHILENGI says the National Health Insurance Management Authority -NHIMA- is financially unsustainable in its current form and requires urgent restructuring.

Professor CHILENGI says NHIMA cannot continue offering health services that it cannot afford to pay for.

He says the situation has resulted in some private health facilities withdrawing their services over unpaid claims.

Professor CHILENGI says Government is now exploring ways of improving NHIMA’s financing while ensuring that the benefits covered by the scheme are affordable and sustainable.

He says Government may have to increase its financial contribution to NHIMA, but adds that it is too early to confirm the exact measures that will be taken.
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Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview programme, Professor CHILENGI said NHIMA also needs to review its benefits package and improve revenue collection to match the services being provided.

He said the scheme’s current challenges stem from low contribution levels, high utilisation rates and an overly ambitious benefits package.

Professor CHILENGI said Government must strike a balance between the healthcare services people expect and the resources available to finance them.

He said Government will also draw lessons from countries such as Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya, where national health insurance schemes have developed mechanisms that could be adapted to Zambia.

Professor CHILENGI said both Government and the public must recognise that healthcare comes at a cost and that available resources must be used prudently.

He said Government will not allow NHIMA to collapse, but will instead take measures to revive the scheme and ensure it can meet its obligations to beneficiaries and healthcare providers.

ZNBC