The Republic of Zambia has joined the global community at the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme “One World for Health.” The gathering brings together member states of the World Health Organization to discuss global health priorities, policy direction and collaborative solutions to shared health challenges. Zambia’s participation highlights its continued commitment to improving healthcare systems and ensuring that quality health services are accessible to all citizens. The country’s presence at this high level forum reflects its active role in shaping international health discussions and strengthening cooperation with global partners. It also comes at a time when health systems worldwide are focusing on resilience, equity and innovation.
Zambia’s delegation is led by Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services at the Ministry of Health, who represents the country in key engagements with global health leaders, policymakers and development partners. His participation places Zambia in direct dialogue with influential institutions and decision makers within the global health space. The discussions at WHA79 provide an opportunity for Zambia to present its national health priorities and align them with broader international strategies. The delegation’s role is also to ensure that Zambia’s interests are reflected in global health policy decisions. This engagement strengthens the country’s voice in shaping the future of healthcare delivery systems worldwide.
At the assembly, Zambia is showcasing progress made in its health sector with support from the World Health Organization and cooperating partners. These achievements include improvements in disease prevention and control, which have helped reduce the burden of infectious diseases across communities. The country has also recorded progress in maternal and child health services, contributing to better outcomes for mothers and children. Investments in health infrastructure have expanded access to care in both urban and rural areas. In addition, Zambia has introduced digital health innovations that improve efficiency, data management and service delivery across health facilities. Emergency preparedness and response systems have also been strengthened to better handle public health threats.
The World Health Assembly also provides Zambia with a platform to strengthen development cooperation and explore new opportunities for collaboration. Through these engagements, the country aims to attract technical and financial support that can accelerate health sector transformation. Zambia is also seeking to learn from global best practices that can be adapted to local health systems. The focus is on building a more resilient healthcare structure capable of responding to both current and emerging challenges. Strategic partnerships formed at WHA79 are expected to support long term national health goals and contribute to sustainable development objectives.
Speaking on the sidelines of the assembly, Dr. Lishimpi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a health system that is inclusive, resilient and responsive. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing complex health challenges that no single country can solve alone. According to him, the World Health Assembly offers Zambia a valuable opportunity to share its progress while also learning from the experiences of other nations. He highlighted that partnerships remain central to accelerating transformation in the health sector. His remarks reflect Zambia’s broader strategy of engaging actively in global health governance to improve outcomes for its population.
The World Health Assembly serves as the decision making body of the World Health Organization, bringing together member states to deliberate on critical global health issues. It plays a key role in shaping international health policies and setting priorities that guide global action. Zambia’s participation at WHA79 reinforces its commitment to contributing to these discussions while also advancing its own national health agenda. The engagements in Geneva are expected to strengthen cooperation between Zambia and its international partners in the health sector. As global health challenges continue to evolve, Zambia’s involvement at this level underscores its determination to build a stronger, more effective and more equitable healthcare system for its citizens.