By Cecilia Chiluba 
National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) has called on all businesses in the country to register their employees and remain compliant with their NHIMA obligations.
NHIMA Director General Michael Njapau said employers should take the lives of employees and their families seriously by ensuring that their contributions are made on time for them to be able to access health services in case of any illness.
Mr. Njapau was speaking during the launch of the NHIMA-Ecobank Smart Pay Platform which aims to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of health insurance payments for all citizens.
The innovation provides a swift and convenient method for making NHIMA payments directly through the Ecobank OMNI Plus platform.
And Mr. Njipau said the platform simplifies the payment process for NHIMA members, particularly employers to submit returns and pay employee contributions conveniently, thereby easing the premium collection process for the Authority.
He stated that the system aims to improve accessibility to NHIMA services, enhance transparency and traceability of funds, and promote timely contributions as well as reduce defaults, which ensure the sustainability of National Health Insurance Scheme.
“The NHIMA-Ecobank payment platform is not juts a technological advancement, but it is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to serve the people of Zambia efficiently.”
“For NHIMA, this is one of the vehicles at at our expediency to drive the universal health coverage agenda and also achieve a more inclusive, digital future for health service delivery,” Mr. Njapau said.
He added that the initiative is intended to target more of the informal sector members so that making their contributions can be made easier.
“The vulnerable or low-income citizens are often unable to afford many of the services they need, and when exposed to serve or long-term illness, middle and upper-class citizens find it difficult to access health services as well.”
“The challenge citizens face in making direct or out of pocket payments for health services cannot be understated. That is why, mandatory but affordable insurance contributions like National Health Insurance Scheme is pooling funds to mitigate financial challenges across the population of Zambia,’” he added.
And Ecobank Zambia Managing Director Aina Moore noted that through this partnership, the two parties are not only strengthening the healthcare ecosystem but reinforcing their commitment to financial inclusion.
Ms. Moore stated that the success of any health insurance scheme relies on efficient contributions management, and the Bank is offering a reliable solution that will streamline payments, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency.
“By integrating NHIMA payments into our internet banking system, we are eliminating financial barriers and ensuring that health care access is just a few clicks away.”
“This launch is not just about partnership, it is about progress. It is about ensuring that every Zambian, whether a worker or entrepreneur, or retiree, can fulfill their healthcare obligations without hassle. It is about simplifying processes and making healthcare contributions effortless,” Ms. Moore stated.
Since its inception five years ago, NHIMA has registered over 5.3 million principal members, and over 29, 000 employers have been registered so far on the scheme using E-NHIMA.