Minister of Health Hon. Prof. Roma Chilengi has called for stronger coordination and collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization and other health sector partners as Zambia continues efforts to improve healthcare delivery. Prof. Chilengi made the remarks when he received the WHO Country Representative and team for a courtesy call at Ndeke House in Lusaka. The meeting highlighted the importance of closer cooperation among institutions working to strengthen Zambia’s health system. The minister stressed that coordinated efforts can help ensure that available expertise and resources support the country’s healthcare priorities. His call comes as collaboration between the government and development partners remains important in addressing health needs and improving services for communities across Zambia.
Prof. Chilengi emphasised that effective coordination is essential for ensuring that health sector partners work towards shared priorities rather than operating independently. He said stronger collaboration would allow stakeholders to align their efforts, exchange expertise and support government programmes more effectively. “It is important that we strengthen coordination with our partners and stakeholders, align our efforts and share expertise in support of the Government’s priorities in delivering quality healthcare to the Zambian people,” he said. The statement underlines the ministry’s focus on creating stronger working relationships with organisations that contribute to Zambia’s health programmes. It also highlights the importance of ensuring that partnerships translate into practical improvements in healthcare delivery.
The Ministry of Health works with various partners on areas that can influence the availability and quality of health services across the country. Strong coordination can help ensure that programmes, technical assistance and other forms of support complement national priorities and respond to identified needs. Collaboration can also make it easier for institutions to share knowledge, experience and technical expertise when addressing complex health challenges. For the government, maintaining clear communication with partners can help strengthen planning and improve the implementation of health initiatives. It can also support better use of available resources by reducing duplication and ensuring that different programmes contribute towards common objectives.
The meeting with the WHO team also reaffirmed the organisation’s continued commitment to supporting Zambia’s health transformation agenda. The WHO Country Representative reaffirmed WHO’s willingness to work with the Zambian Government as it pursues improvements across the health sector. Such cooperation provides an avenue for technical support, knowledge sharing and collaboration on national health priorities. The partnership also gives Zambia access to the expertise and experience of an international health organisation that works with governments on public health issues. Continued engagement between the Ministry of Health and WHO can therefore support efforts to strengthen healthcare systems and improve health outcomes.
Prof. Chilengi’s emphasis on collaboration also points to the importance of involving other health sector stakeholders in Zambia’s healthcare transformation efforts. Government institutions, international organisations, development partners and other stakeholders can contribute different forms of expertise and support to the health sector. Effective coordination allows these contributions to be directed towards priorities identified by the government and the needs of the population. It can also help strengthen accountability by making it clearer how different partners contribute to specific health programmes. A more coordinated approach can therefore create stronger links between policy priorities, technical support and the delivery of services to people.
The minister’s call for strengthened coordination comes at a time when healthcare systems require sustained cooperation to address both existing and emerging needs. Improving healthcare delivery involves more than increasing resources, as institutions also need effective planning, communication and implementation systems. Partnerships can support these efforts by providing technical knowledge and helping strengthen capacity where gaps exist. However, coordination remains important to ensure that external support complements national plans and does not create fragmented programmes. The emphasis on alignment therefore places government priorities at the centre of cooperation between the Ministry of Health, WHO and other partners.
The courtesy call at Ndeke House provided an opportunity for the Ministry of Health and WHO to reinforce their shared commitment to Zambia’s health transformation agenda. While the meeting was focused on collaboration, the minister’s remarks also highlighted the need for practical coordination that produces measurable benefits for the Zambian people. Strengthened partnerships can support efforts to improve healthcare services, share expertise and address challenges affecting the health sector. Continued engagement between the government and its partners will be important as Zambia works to advance its healthcare priorities. The emphasis on coordination and shared expertise sets a clear direction for closer cooperation aimed at supporting the delivery of quality healthcare across the country.