MQHZ sets expectations for new Health Minister

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The Medical for Quality Healthcare in Zambia (MQHZ) has called on President Hichilema to appoint a competent and decisive Minister of Health capable of driving reforms and delivering measurable improvements in patient care.

Organisation Director General Quince Mwabu says the incoming minister should possess the leadership capacity to provide both strategic and operational direction to the health sector.

“Zambia needs a Minister who will provide strong strategic and operational leadership, understand the realities of the health system and ensure that Government policies, programmes and investments translate into actual services for patients,” he said.

He says the minister should be implementation-focused and demand results at health-facility level rather than being satisfied with policies and plans on paper.

Dr Mwabu says the new minister will inherit a health system facing challenges including gaps in medicines and medical supplies, equipment requiring maintenance, human-resource constraints, pressure on health facilities, financing limitations and disparities in access between urban and rural communities.

He says these challenges require urgent and practical solutions instead of allowing them to become recurring problems.

Dr Mwabu says MQHZ also expects the minister to provide effective operational oversight and remain closely engaged with developments across the country.

“Being hands-on should mean understanding operational challenges, following through on decisions, monitoring performance and ensuring that problems identified within the health system are addressed,” he said.

He says the minister must also listen to health workers and patients and understand the challenges faced by health facilities, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Dr Mwabu says the incoming minister should be reform-minded and decisive, with the ability to confront inefficiencies, strengthen systems and introduce practical reforms.

He says leadership of the Ministry should also be anchored on evidence, stakeholder engagement, accountability and a willingness to take corrective action where necessary.

MQHZ says key priorities should include ensuring the availability of medicines and medical supplies, maintaining medical equipment, improving the equitable deployment of health workers, strengthening primary healthcare and expanding access to quality services.

Dr Mwabu says the success of these interventions should ultimately be measured by the experience of patients when they seek healthcare.

He has further called for stronger accountability in the management of health resources, saying every kwacha invested in healthcare should deliver value to the Zambian people.

“Accountability must also be at the centre of the Ministry’s leadership,” Dr Mwabu said.

He says the incoming minister should strengthen oversight, promote transparency and demand performance across the Ministry while confronting waste, inefficiency, negligence and misconduct.

Dr Mwabu says the minister should also provide strong leadership on health financing and resource utilisation to ensure available resources are directed towards priorities that have the greatest impact on patients and communities.

He says increased investment in health must be accompanied by improved efficiency, stronger systems and measurable outcomes.

Ends

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