Zambia launches revised national health care standards…

Acting Minister of Health Cornelius Mweetwa has hailed the launch of the Revised National Health Care Standards 2026 and six subsidiary guidelines as a milestone in strengthening healthcare regulation and quality assurance in Zambia. Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kennedy Lishimpi, Mr Mweetwa emphasized that effective regulation is the cornerstone of a resilient, people‑centered health system. Mr Mweetwa noted that the revised standards align with the Health Professions Act No.

17 of 2024, the Eighth National Development Plan, and Zambia’s universal health coverage agenda. The six subsidiary guidelines cover telehealth, AI in healthcare, continuous professional development, health services advertising, domiciliary and home‑based care and traditional, complementary and alternative medicine. “These standards respond to emerging realities such as digital health, home‑based care and artificial intelligence and diversified service delivery models,” he said.

AMREF Health Africa Country Director Vivian Sakanga described the launch as a defining moment for healthcare regulation, stressing that updated standards are vital to address new disease patterns, technological advances and rising demand for services. She reaffirmed AMREF’s support for the Ministry of Health and the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) in strengthening workforce development and quality improvement. HPCZ Acting CEO and Registrar Mutinta Musaila highlighted that the standards were developed through broad consultations with regulators, professional associations, academia, service providers and partners. Musaila pledged transparent and consistent implementation to modernize Zambia’s healthcare framework.