Amref’s Support to Zambia’s Revised National Health Care Standards 2026
“Proud of you Viviane Ruta Sakanga for your leadership as lead of Amref Zambia and grateful for your support to Zambia’s health agenda,” said Dr. Mazyanga Lucy Liwewe Mazaba.
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By Derrick Sinjela
Chronic weaknesses in a health system are never accidental. They emerge from unclear standards, fragmented oversight and regulatory gaps. Conversely, resilient health systems are built deliberately on clear rules, strong institutions, innovation safeguards, and shared responsibility.
On Friday, 27th February 2026, Zambia took a decisive step in that direction with the official launch of the Revised National Health Care Standards 2026 (NHCS 2026) and six subsidiary guidelines by the Ministry of Health Zambia and the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).
Amref Health Africa in Zambia is proud to have supported this transformative process designed to reflect both the realities of our time and the aspirations of our nation.
The revised standards are not merely administrative updates. They are a response to the times. Healthcare delivery is no longer confined to traditional hospital walls. Today, it includes:
– Digital health platforms
– Telemedicine and remote consultations
– Artificial intelligence in diagnostics
– Home and domiciliary care
– Emerging specialist services and advanced models of care
The NHCS 2026 acknowledge these shifts and clearly defines who may operate, what services may be offered, and under what standards ensuring that innovation does not outpace regulation. In a rapidly evolving environment, clarity protects both patients and practitioners.
The revised guidelines are firmly anchored in the Health Professions Act No. 17 of 2024 and aligned with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
This alignment ensures that regulatory standards conform to updated national legislation, support Zambia’s broader development agenda and strengthen the pathway toward Universal Health Coverage.
Regulation, in this context, becomes a strategic tool not just for compliance, but for long-term system strengthening.
The NHCS 2026 and its six subsidiary guidelines also directly respond to evolving areas that required clearer regulatory guidance, including:
– Home and domiciliary care
– Digital health services
– Artificial intelligence integration
– Ethical advertising of health services
By providing structured guidance in these areas, Zambia is proactively regulating the future of healthcare rather than reacting to crises after they occur.
Our support reaffirms our commitment to strengthening health systems in Zambia ensuring that quality, safety, innovation, and accountability move forward together.
And Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre (RCC) Regional Director Dr. Mazyanga Lucy Liwewe Mazaba expressed delight on Amref’s achievement.
“Proud of you Viviane Ruta Sakanga for your leadership as lead of Amref Zambia and grateful for your support to Zambia’s health agenda,” said Dr. Mazyanga Lucy Liwewe Mazaba.
“We are forever grateful for the support. Looking forward to more collaborations,” said Mutinta Moonga Musaila.
“Congratulations team Zambia 🇿🇲, this is an intentional achievement towards attaining lasting health change, by keeping health standards relevant and fit for purpose,” said Ms. Priscilla Esnati Banda.
On her part Lady Norena simply said: “Well done”.
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