Acting Secretary to the Cabinet, Oliver Kalabo says government has made significant strides over the last four years in expanding access to health services in the country.

Dr Kalabo, who is also Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet in charge of Administration, indicated that the country has witnessed tremendous positive developments in the health sector since 2021.

Speaking during the 3rd Senior Public Service Management meeting in Lusaka, Dr. Kalabo said government’s goal is to ensure that all the citizens receive quality healthcare countrywide.

“Over the past four years, Zambia has made commendable strides in expanding access to health services. From rural outreach programmes to modernised urban facilities, we have seen progress,” he said.

He cited the increased budget allocation from K1.7 billion in 2021, to K6.4 billion in 2026 among the achievements attained in the health sector.

Dr Kalabo revealed that a total of 111 new mini hospitals have been constructed across the country in the last four years.

“Budgetary allocation has increased from K1.7 billion in 2021, to K6.4 billion in 2026, with a ripple effect of 83 percent (2025/26) availability of essential medicines, 137 mini hospitals comprising 26 old and 111 new mini hospitals,” he explained.

Dr Kalabo added that a total of 1,227 health posts, comprising 1,191 old and 36 new health posts, have been constructed and commissioned.

And giving an update on maternity annexes, Dr Kalabo revealed that a total of 243 have been constructed across the ten provinces.

He expressed optimism that the construction of maternity annexes will help improve maternal healthcare services.

And on the status of level one hospitals in the country, Dr Kalabo revealed that a total of 13 new level one hospitals have been constructed and are all operational.

“103 level-one hospitals comprising 90 old and 13 new have been constructed and operationalized,” he said.

Dr Kalabo further said eight Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) hubs have been constructed.

He explained that the construction of ZAMMSA hubs is meant to lower transportation and distribution bottlenecks, particularly in hard-to-reach districts.

Dr Kalabo further disclosed that the soon-to-be-constructed ZAMMSA hubs will be in Kabwe and Kasama Districts.

He added that 51 oxygen plants have been commissioned and are operational stating that the construction of additional oxygen plants is meant to strengthen intensive care unit, theatre and neonatal unit functionality.

And on construction of specialised hospitals, Dr Kalabo said the King Salman Bin Abdullah Aziz children’s hospital has reached 80 percent completion while the Ndola Cancer Diseases Hospital is at 85 percent completion.

Meanwhile, Dr Kalabo said the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) coverage has increased from 6 percent in 2021 to 28 percent in 2025.

Dr Kalabo pointed out that in terms of membership, in 2021 NHIMA had 1,177,987, which has since increased to 5,501,246 members in 2025.