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Zambia International Health Insurance / Healthcare System
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 The Republic
of Zambia in southern Africa was formerly the British colony of
Northern Rhodesia and achieved independence in 1964. The
landlocked country borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Angola.
Although it functioned as a one party state for decades following
independence, recent reforms have led the World Bank to declare
Zambia one of the “world’s fastest economically reforming
countries”. Despite recent prospects for growth, over two thirds
of Zambians live below the poverty line. Indigenous Bantu culture
predominates, although various European influences permeate
Zambian cuisine, music, language and the arts. Of more recent
vintage, “Zamrock” was a popular form of psychedelic music in the
1970s.
Unfortunately, as with many poor sub Saharan African countries,
Zambians suffer from poor health; Zambian males’ life expectancy
is only 46 years and 50 years for females. Total annual health
care expenditure is USD68, which is about half of the WHO’s
African regional average and makes up about 4.8 percent of GDP.
Government spending makes up 53 percent of total health
expenditure in Zambia. Most private health care expenditure comes
from out of pocket; private Zambia health insurance makes up only
4.1 percent of total private health care spending. Corruption also
remains an issue; according to The Global Fund, USD34 million in
donations “disappeared” in Djibouti, Zambia, Mauritania and Zambia
since its inception a decade ago.
Communicable diseases are a major problem in southern Africa, and
Zambia is no exception. HIV and related infections are one of
Zambia’s most serious health crises. HIV infects 135 of every
1,000 adults; nearly triple the already high regional average. It
is estimated that there are over 50,000 new HIV cases every year
in Zambia, in a population of about 13 million. Tuberculosis
infects 309 of every 100,000 Zambians; this figure is lower than
the African norm, but is still more than 50 percent higher than
the global average. The WHO’s Global Alert and Response team have
issued a number of bulletins on outbreaks in Zambia in the last
decade, including cholera, plague and arenaviradae. In 2010, a
large measles outbreak affected Zambia and neighbouring countries
including Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Zambians’ utilisation of antenatal, birth and infant health care
is low by global standards, but generally in line with African
averages. Slightly less than half of all births are attended by
skilled health care personnel; this figure masks serious
inequities as only 20 percent of the poorest fifth of Zambians
receive this service. About 85 percent of one year olds receive
measles immunisation; these are more evenly distributed among
Zambians, regardless of wealth. Zambia’s health care workforce is
seriously understaffed, with only 0.6 doctors and 7.1 nurses per
10,000 residents. Again, this is far below the African average.
Zambian public health investment has been erratic. Urban
residents’ access to improved drinking water sources has actually
declined over the past two decades, and is currently around 90
percent. There have actually been some consistent gains in access
to clean water for rural residents; currently over 40 percent of
whom have access to clean water. Improved sanitation facilities
are available to less than half of Zambians, and very few of these
would measure up to developed country standards.
The WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) brief for Zambia 2008 –
13 involves several strategic points for cooperation between the
WHO and the Ministry of Health. The CCS acknowledges that malaria,
HIV and AIDS are the main health issues in Zambia, and outlines
four strategic directions to address these problems: reducing the
incidence of communicable and non-communicable diseases;
strengthening preparedness for epidemics and other emergencies,
improving the health care system capabilities; and improving
equity in the delivery of health care regardless of gender or
wealth.
Zambia is somewhat off the beaten path, but its natural beauty
does make it an attractive tourist destination. However, there are
risks associated with travel to sub Saharan Africa, and the US
Centres for Disease Control have issued health guidelines for
prospective travellers. The first recommendation is to visit a
health clinic or physician specialising in travel medicine four to
six weeks before departure. This is a good opportunity to ensure
that routine immunisations are updated, including hepatitis and
typhoid jabs. Rabies immunisation may be suggested for those
planning to spend time amongst wild animals.
As with many equatorial areas, malaria risk is very high in
Zambia. Precautionary measures include long-sleeved clothing,
mosquito nets and insect repellent with DEET. Prophylactic doses
of anti-malaria pills may be advised in some cases, but note that
chloroquine is not effective against malaria in Zambia. Other
insect-borne diseases common to Zambia include dengue fever, river
blindness and African sleeping sickness. Polio, schistosomiasis
and the plague are also found in the region; and travellers
exploring caves may be exposed to Marburg hemorrhagic fever.
Zambian health care resources are extremely poor, and shortages of
even basic pharmaceuticals are common. Most serious health
emergencies will require air evacuation to Johannesburg or Europe.
Bearing this in mind, it is important to ensure that travel health
insurance coverage will cover these unfortunate possibilities.
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Zambia International Health Insurance |
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Fortunately, Globalsurance can assist with your travel health insurance needs. Our dedicated team of professionals is on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days a week to make sure that you are well informed on the best international health insurance coverage options for you, your family or your tour group. The range of international health insurance policies on offer from Globalsurance cover all kinds of situations, including maternity and transportation. Contact a Globalsurance advisor today to find out
what international health insurance plan is right for you.
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