National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) has dismissed claims circulating on social media suggesting that private healthcare facilities are withdrawing services due to non-payment by the Authority.
In a statement, NHIMA Head of Public Relations King Syacika said the narrative being circulated is misleading and does not reflect the actual status of its relationship with healthcare providers.
The clarification follows a public notice by Carepeak Specialist Clinic announcing its intention to discontinue offering health services to NHIMA members effective 24th May 2026.
“While NHIMA respects the operational decisions of individual healthcare providers, the Authority wishes to inform the public that the narrative being peddled in the social media that private facilities have started withdrawing services due to non-payments is not true, as we have not received any similar notifications,” Mr. Syacika said.
“And on the contrary, there are many other private healthcare facilities wanting to accredit with NHIMA.
He disclosed that NHIMA currently works with over 400 accredited healthcare providers drawn from public, private and faith-based institutions across the country.
Mr. Syacika added that many more private facilities continue to apply for accreditation under the scheme.
He also revealed that the Authority has identified some Lusaka-based private facilities allegedly rationing the number of NHIMA patients attended to daily.
“This matter and many other matters were dealt with constructively and amicably on Monday, 27th April 2026 at NHIMA Headquarters during a meeting between NHIMA Management and the Healthcare Federation of Zambia representing private facilities,” he said.
According to Mr. Syacika, the meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration with private healthcare providers and ensuring sustainable healthcare delivery under the scheme.
He assured the public that the decision by one healthcare provider would not disrupt access to healthcare services under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“We therefore wish to assure our members and the nation that the withdrawal of one healthcare private facility should not be used to undermine the NHIMA mission of ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare services for all Zambians,” Mr. Syacika assured.
