Zambia to take over K1.7 billion NHIMA debt owed to hospitals
Health Minister Roma Chilengi announced Thursday that Cabinet has also approved a package of reforms to overhaul how the National Health Insurance Management Authority is funded.
The Zambian Government will take over the K1.7 billion that the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) owes hospitals and health suppliers, Health Minister Roma Chilengi announced Thursday. Speaking on ZNBC TV1 Main News, Chilengi said the bailout is meant to ease NHIMA's financial strain.
Chilengi said the move is intended to improve service delivery at health facilities that have been waiting to be paid. Cabinet has approved a package of reforms that also covers NHIMA's contributions, the minister said.
The reform details were not immediately available in the report, and the government has not given a date for when the debt transfer will be completed.
Why it mattersHospitals and health suppliers owed money by NHIMA are the people directly affected, since the government is taking over the K1.7 billion that the authority owes them.