Zambia

The Zambia country profile provides an overview of the community health system in Zambia according to the most up-to-date policies available. It particularly focuses on the country’s community health providers, the structures that support them, and the services they deliver across many health areas – with a spotlight on family planning. The profile is targeted towards policymakers, program implementers, donors, researchers, and others interested in the country’s community health system.

The table below captures key information from the full, downloadable country profile. The complete CHS Catalog data set is also available for download, including information for Zambia.

Community Health Quick Stats

Main Community Health Policy / Strategy | Last Updated

National Integrated Strategy for Community Based Health & Social Development Workers and Volunteers in Zambia (Draft) | 2014

Number of Community Health Provider Cadres

1 main cadre¹: community health assistants (CHAs)

Estimated Number of Community Health Providers

307 CHAs²

Community-Level Data Collection Yes
Levels of Management of Community-Level Service Delivery

National, provincial, district, community

Key Community Health Program(s)

CHA Program

Key Policies and Strategies

Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (MCDMCH) and Ministry of Health (MOH), Republic of Zambia. 2014. Community Based Distribution of Family Planning Participants’ Manual. Lusaka: MCDMCH and MOH, Republic of Zambia.

———. 2014. National Integrated Strategy for Community Based Health and Social Development Workers and Volunteers in Zambia (Zero Draft). Lusaka: MCDMCH and MOH, Republic of Zambia.

MOH, Republic of Zambia. 2010. National Community Health Worker Strategy in Zambia. Lusaka: MOH, Republic of Zambia. Lusaka: MOH, Republic of Zambia. (Accessed May 2016).

———. 2011. National Human Resources for Health Strategic Plan 2011- 2015. Lusaka: MOH, Republic of Zambia. (Accessed May 2016).

———. 2011. Nutrition Guidelines for Care and Support of People Living with HIV and AIDS. Lusaka: MOH, Republic of Zambia. (Accessed May 2016).

———. 2012. National Health Strategic Plan 2011-2015. Lusaka: Ministry of Health, Republic of Zambia. (Accessed May 2016).

———. 2012. Community Health Assistant Curriculum: Modules 1-12. Lusaka: Ministry of Health, Republic of Zambia.

National HIV/AIDS/STD/TB Council (NAC), Republic of Zambia. National AIDS Strategic Framework 2011-2015: Towards Improving the Quality of Life of the Zambian People. Lusaka: Ministry of Health, Republic of Zambia. (Accessed May 2016).

Republic of Zambia. 2012. National Health Policy. Lusaka: Ministry of Health, Republic of Zambia. (Accessed May 2016).

UNICEF and Ministry of Health, Republic of Zambia. 2013. Zambia Essential Medicines List (ZEML). Lusaka: Ministry of Health, Republic of Zambia. (Accessed May 2016).