Zambia’s Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Elijah Julaki Muchima, highlighted the country’s significant progress in maternal and child health, including notable reductions in maternal and under-five mortality. He attributed these gains to expanded primary healthcare services, improved access to skilled birth attendants, and strengthened childhood immunization programmes. He further noted that Zambia is also expanding and investing in its research capacity to better understand how traditional medicine can complement conventional healthcare, particularly to improve maternal and neonatal health in remote areas.
The Minister was briefing a Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs delegation led by Hon. Prof. Margaret Kamar, currently in Lusaka for a three-day Parliamentary Oversight Mission conducted in collaboration with the Africa CDC Southern Africa Regional Office. The mission aims to assess Zambia’s implementation of national and continental commitments on maternal and neonatal health, including alignment with the AU Health Strategy (2016–2030), Agenda 2063, and the Continental RMNCAH-N Framework. It also seeks to explore opportunities to integrate traditional medicine into broader health system strengthening.
Hon. Dr. Muchima reported that between 2023 and 2025, Zambia registered significant improvements in key indicators despite persistent system challenges. Skilled birth attendance reached 95%, reflecting stronger maternal health services. Continued investments in infrastructure and the recruitment of health workers ensured that all health facilities had at least one qualified staff member.
He further noted that the government increased the health budget to K2.9 billion, prioritising public health emergencies and pandemic preparedness. Progress was also made in the fight against HIV following a severe escalation in early 2022, when cases rose above 14,000 with a case fatality rate nearing 45%, significantly higher than the regional threshold. Ongoing challenges, however, include the triple burden of disease, underfunding, and a resurgence of communicable diseases such as cholera.
The Minister underscored that progress was supported by robust partnerships and strengthened WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) systems, with contributions from Africa CDC, the UN, NGOs, and the private sector. “Despite these challenges, Zambia’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its people remains evident through continued cooperation and proactive measures,” he affirmed.
Reflecting on the mission’s objectives, Hon. Prof. Margaret Kamar commended Zambia’s leadership for its commitment to regional and continental cooperation, including efforts to strengthen public health systems and address infectious diseases collectively. She emphasised that the oversight mission aims to enhance parliamentary accountability and promote evidence-based policymaking to accelerate progress in maternal and neonatal health across Africa.
“The Pan-African Parliament-Africa CDC Joint Parliamentary Oversight and Technical Assessment on Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes provides an opportunity to examine how traditional medicine can complement conventional care, particularly in underserved and remote communities. This work aligns with the PAP’s mandate to advance harmonised legislation through continental Model Laws. The anticipated Model Law on the Integration of Traditional Medicine is expected to strengthen health systems, promote inclusive policies, and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes across Africa,” said Hon.Prof.Kamar.
Maternal and neonatal mortality remain pressing public health challenges in Africa, despite notable progress over the past two decades. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), sub-Saharan Africa accounts for approximately 70% of global maternal deaths and 42% of global neonatal deaths, largely due to preventable causes such as obstetric complications, infections, and limited access to skilled birth attendance.
The African Union (AU) actively promotes traditional medicine as a vital component of the continent’s healthcare systems, recognizing its cultural relevance and accessibility to a large portion of the African population. This commitment is formally articulated in Decision EX.CL/Dec.477(XIV) adopted by the Executive Council of the African Union during its Fourteenth Ordinary Session in January 2009, which endorsed the Revised African Union Plan of Action on Traditional Medicine (2008–2013).
In this context, the oversight mission will review national policies, programmes, and budgets dedicated to maternal and neonatal health, while assessing the role of traditional medicine and its potential contribution to strengthening health system resilience. It will also evaluate Zambia’s implementation of continental and global commitments, including SDG targets 3.1 and 3.2, AU Agenda 2063, and the RMNCAH-N frameworks. Throughout the mission, engagement with the Ministry of Health, Parliamentarians, health professionals, civil society, and development partners will help identify best practices and remaining gaps. Ultimately, the mission aims to develop actionable recommendations and produce a parliamentary report to reinforce national oversight and accelerate efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Zambia and across Africa.
