New Health Minister faces call to rebuild trust between NHIMA, private hospitals

Resident Doctors Association president Dr Paul Chibwe […]

Resident Doctors Association president Dr Paul Chibwe has called on newly appointed Health Minister Professor Roma Chilengi to revamp the National Health Insurance Management Scheme NHIMA. Dr Chibwe said the minister should strengthen the scheme to ensure that private healthcare providers are paid on time.

 He said delays in payments to private health facilities can affect their ability to continue serving patients under NHIMA.

“Most of the private sector complain that NHIMA doesn’t pay them on time, meaning that becomes a bit of a challenge for them to run and see patients on NHIMA,” he said in an interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT. Dr. Chibwe further challenged the newly appointed Health Minister to use his medical background and experience in public health to deliver practical reforms that will improve healthcare services in Zambia.

Dr Chibwe says Professor Chilengi’s experience in the health sector, including his work with the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) and as a health adviser to President Hakainde Hichilema, gives him an understanding of the challenges facing the sector.

 He said the minister should now translate that experience into policies and reforms that directly benefit patients and health workers.

 “I think the new minister should use his rich background in terms of qualifications, coming from the medical profession and also being part and parcel of government for the past five years,” Dr Chibwe said.

He said one of the immediate priorities should be ensuring that health facilities are fully functional and adequately supplied with medicines, equipment and other essential commodities.

“We need to have facilities that are functional. We don’t want an ordinary old mother going to a facility and not finding a partner there,” he said.

Dr Chibwe further called for reforms in the procurement and distribution of medicines and medical supplies, saying lessons should be drawn from challenges experienced in the health sector over the past five years.

 He said government should ensure that adequate funding is allocated for the procurement of medicines and medical supplies while strengthening systems responsible for getting these commodities to health facilities. According to Dr Chibwe, health workers whose allowances are outstanding should be paid, while those who have been promoted should have their new positions and salaries reflected on their payslips.

 “If people are owed allowances, they should be paid. If people are promoted, they need to be promoted on the payslip as well. They need to be getting paid for the promotion instead of people acting in these positions indefinitely,” he said.

Dr Chibwe also urged the new minister to review and strengthen policies and legislation governing the health sector, including the proposed Health Services Bill.

 He said the Bill should undergo broad stakeholder consultation before being implemented to ensure that concerns from health professionals and other stakeholders are adequately addressed.

Dr Chibwe also called for the strengthening of the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ), including ensuring that it has a functional board and a qualified registrar.

 Dr Chibwe said the minister’s success would, however, depend on his ability to work with the various stakeholders within the health sector.

“What is key is to cooperate with various stakeholders that are key to the sector and work together in driving the sector and moving it forward,” he said