Health Insurance in Zambia

The healthcare system in Zambia is managed by the Ministry of Health and is primarily funded by the government, taxes and health insurance contributions.

Though measures have been introduced to improve accessibility to healthcare services in recent years, the public system continues to struggle from a lack of medical professionals, equipment and medicine.

Health insurance for expats in Zambia

The health insurance system in Zambia

Zambian residents over the age of 18 who earn an income must register with the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA), the organisation responsible for managing healthcare contributions.

Those in permanent employment pay 1% of their income towards state healthcare. The employer is required to register them with NHIMA within 30 days of starting their role. Expats will be able to access healthcare services four months after registration.

This system is divided into three different levels: primary, secondary and tertiary care:

Primary care: these services have been free for patients since 2021 and are usually the first point of contact for medical treatment. At this level, doctors can help diagnose common illnesses, manage chronic conditions and give referrals to a specialist if needed.

Secondary care: delivered at district hospitals, secondary care normally requires a referral from a doctor and provides more specialised medical care to patients.

Tertiary care: this is the highest level of care, and is offered at teaching hospitals in Zambia’s major cities. This type of care is highly-specialised and used to treat patients with the most complex and severe health conditions.

Due to the issues faced by the state system, the Zambian government has introduced measures such as the 2022 – 2026 National Health Strategic Plan. The aim of this is to improve the healthcare system and make services more accessible to residents.

How to choose health insurance in Zambia: local or international?

There are two main options for expats if they are thinking about purchasing private health insurance for living in Zambia: local and international.

Local health insurance

A local health insurance plan will provide cover in a designated country, and is generally more cost effective than an international plan. However, it can have stricter cover limits, and access to medical treatment is usually restricted to one specific country.

International health insurance

International health insurance can provide a wider range of coverage for medical treatment, and allow expats to access medical care at leading medical facilities across the world. It gives a greater degree of flexibility in where they receive treatment, which is particularly beneficial for frequent travellers.

Find out more about how much an international medical insurance plan could cost here.