Zambia’s healthcare system strives for universal access, equity, and quality at scale—guided by the National Health Strategic Plan 2022–2026 and Vision 2030. The Ministry of Health (MoH) coordinates a four-tier hospital and clinic network based on WHO’s building blocks: strong leadership, expanded financing, skilled workforce, reliable infrastructure, smart information, and integrated delivery. A sector-wide approach teams up government, faith-based networks (like CHAZ), and private/NGO partners for comprehensive coverage, with reforms emphasizing decentralization, digital health, and quality improvement.
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Hospital Network—Levels, Roles, and Coverage
Level 1: Health Posts & Health Centres
- Over 1,500 Health Posts and another 1,500+ Health Centres offer the first point of contact for primary care, vaccines, minor emergencies, chronic disease, mother/child health, and preventative services.
- Nurse/practitioner/clinical officer–led, with referrals up the system for advanced needs.
Level 2: First-Level Hospitals
- About 150 District or “First-Level” Hospitals provide general surgery, obstetric care, C-sections, trauma, inpatient medical, pediatric, and some diagnostic capacity.
- Serve as referral hubs for health centres/posts in each district.
- Public, faith-based (CHAZ/mission) and a few private options; most are semi-rural or urban peripheries.
Level 3: Second-Level (General) Hospitals
- 33 General/Provincial Hospitals—more specialist surgeons, advanced diagnostics, ICU/emergency, neonatal, and infectious disease services.
- Regional/national referral from first-level hospitals—patients may be transferred for hard-to-manage or specialty care.
Level 4: Third-Level (Referral/Teaching) Hospitals
- 7 “super-special” national centres—top surgery, teaching, transplants, oncology, advanced diagnostics, burn/trauma, and all complex cases.
- Located in Lusaka (UTH), Ndola, Kitwe, Livingstone, Mansa, and main province capitals.
Private and Faith-Based Hospitals
- Private hospitals and clinics mostly in Lusaka and Copperbelt, focusing on rapid elective surgery, maternal/child, diagnostics, and VIP/expat care.
- CHAZ (Churches Health Association of Zambia) runs over 30% of the national health infrastructure—especially strong in rural and hard-to-reach districts, trusted by local communities.
Zambia’s Modernization and Digital Health Drive
- National Electronic Health Records: Digital records and integrated health management (HMIS, HRIS, eLMIS) are expanding nationwide for better referral, tracking, billing, and supply chain management.
- Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Commitment: Subsidized care at all public and most faith-based hospitals/clinics, private/cash options for luxury/rapid care.
- Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health: Strong investments in maternity beds, neonatal ICUs, pediatric, nutrition, and preventive screening.
- Mental Health, Cancer, Chronic Disease: Specialty units and screening at second/third-level hospitals; basic chronic care at all levels.
Navigating the Patient Journey
Step 1: First Contact
- Visit nearest Health Centre or Post for triage, minor illnesses, routine care, or stable chronic disease.
- For pregnancy, register with ANC at your local facility—planning for delivery at first-level or higher hospital if high-risk.
Step 2: Escalation & Referral
- Urgent cases and surgery are referred up to First-Level District Hospitals—if necessary, further to the nearest Second-Level Provincial/General Hospital or, for the most complex, to a Third-Level Referral Hospital.
Step 3: Admission, Surgery, Recovery
- Bring ID, referral paperwork, health/insurance cards (where applicable), list of medications/allergies, and emergency contacts.
- Family typically supports patients with food and basic care (especially in rural hospitals); many public hospitals provide beds and essentials for mothers, children.
- ICU, advanced imaging, cancer care, and some specialty surgeries only at third-level/national referral hospitals.
Step 4: Aftercare & Follow-Up
- Discharge planning includes medication refills, follow-up appointments at local or referring hospital, and education on signs to watch for at home.
Zambia’s Major Hospitals & Networks at a Glance
| Hospital | Region/City | Level | Features/Specialties |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Teaching Hosp. | Lusaka | National/Level 4 | Surgery, ICU, cancer, burns, research |
| Ndola Teaching Hospital | Copperbelt/Ndola | National/Level 4 | Trauma, peds, surgery, burns |
| Kitwe Central Hospital | Copperbelt/Kitwe | National/Level 4 | Oncology, neurology, diagnostics |
| Livingstone Central Hosp. | Livingstone/South | National/Level 4 | Surgery, trauma, diagnostics |
| St. Francis Hospital | Eastern/CHAZ | Level 3/CHAZ | Surgery, maternal/child, rural |
| Levy Mwanawasa Medical Univ | Lusaka | Teaching/Level 4 | All specialties, teaching, research |
| Coptic Hospital | Lusaka | Private | Multi-specialty, rapid elective care |
| Fairview Hospital | Lusaka | Private | Elective surgery, VIP, foreign |
| First Level (e.g. Kafue, Kabwe) | All provinces | Level 1 | Obstetrics, C-sections, minor trauma |
Specialties, Strengths, and Regional Insights
- Maternal/Child Health: Strong government and CHAZ focus, especially in ANC, neonatal ICU, PMTCT, and safe delivery.
- Emergency & Surgery: Trauma, burn, and infectious disease expertise clustered at national/third-level hospitals, with growing access at provincial hubs.
- Chronic Disease & Cancer: Cancer, NCD, TB, and HIV treatment at Second/Third-Level Hospitals, with linkages to community for daily support.
- Mental Health: Stand-alone units in tertiary hospitals; faith-based hospitals and clinics offer counseling and support in rural areas.
- Urban vs. Rural: Urban areas have faster, broader specialist access; rural relies more on CHAZ/faith-based health, with transport/referral for serious cases.
Patient Experiences from Across Zambia
- “My rural clinic nurse referred me quickly for emergency surgery at the district hospital—I felt supported every step.”
- “In Lusaka, I accessed cancer care and follow-up at UTH, with all my digital records ready for every visit.”
- “We delivered at a CHAZ hospital—compassionate staff and a comfortable environment, even far from the city.”
Planning & Hospital Visit Checklist
- ☐ ID/NRC and health/insurance card (if you have one)
- ☐ Referral slip and prior records/results
- ☐ List of meds, allergies, emergency contacts
- ☐ Basic needs and family support items (esp. for overnight/rural)
- ☐ Means for transport or ambulance information
- ☐ Follow-up schedule and where to receive aftercare
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all hospital care free in Zambia?
Public and faith-based care is affordable and mostly subsidized; private/cash options are available too.
How do CHAZ/faith facilities differ?
CHAZ offers trusted care, especially maternal/child; often the only facilities in remote areas, collaborating closely with government.
Is digital health or telemedicine expanding?
Rapidly in hospitals in Lusaka and the Copperbelt, and rolling out to all hospitals by 2026.
Are English and local languages spoken?
Yes—English is standard, with local languages used for patient comfort nationwide.
Can expats/travelers access hospitals?
Yes—especially in urban areas, with private hospitals and CHAZ facilities being most expat-friendly.
Using MyHospitalNow in Zambia
- Use Hospitals in Zambia category to compare hospitals, specialties, patient reviews, and planning tips for surgery, emergencies, and chronic care.
- Access printable checklists, step-by-step guides, and patient stories for preparation and confidence at every tier.
Start Your Hospital Journey in Zambia
Whether you need surgery, maternal care, specialist treatment, or fast emergency support, Zambia’s hospitals—public, faith-based, and private—work together for every community. MyHospitalNow helps you compare, plan, and succeed, wherever you are.
- Begin with the homepage
- Get region, specialty, provider lists, and planning with the Hospitals in Zambia category
Compare, prepare, and thrive—MyHospitalNow is Zambia’s trusted guide for hospital care, reform, and patient peace of mind.