The Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt Hon Dr Nelly B K Mutti, SC., MP, FAPRA has reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to advancing Zambia’s public health agenda following a high-level consultative meeting with a delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) led by the Country Representative to Zambia Dr Clement Peter Lasuba.

Speaking during the courtesy call at Parliament Buildings in Lusaka, Speaker Mutti highlighted the transformative impact of the expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF), particularly in strengthening health infrastructure across constituencies. She noted that the construction of modern maternity wings has significantly improved maternal healthcare services.

“This infrastructure has been pivotal in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality by ensuring mothers no longer deliver in unsafe, ‘under-tree’ environments,” she said.

The Speaker further emphasised the need for a national mindset change regarding sanitation and waste management to effectively curb recurrent cholera outbreaks.

“It is not just about medical intervention; it is about how we manage our environment. We must move away from practices that jeopardise our collective health,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Dr Lasuba commended Zambia for the notable progress recorded in the health sector, including a decline in malaria-related mortality, improved availability of essential medicines, and a gradual increase in budgetary allocations to health.

While acknowledging these gains, he underscored the urgent need to address persistent challenges in ensuring equitable and universal access to quality healthcare services.

“In this regard, I seek your support in the establishment of a standing health platform for regular health information sharing, collaboration and advocacy to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality and improve child survival,” Dr Lasuba said.

The meeting focused on critical public health concerns, including the recent detection of polio virus variants in environmental samples in Lusaka and the ongoing fight against seasonal cholera outbreaks.

Legislative priorities aimed at strengthening Zambia’s health security were also discussed. These include the proposed Tobacco Control Bill, designed to protect young people from non-communicable diseases, and renewed calls to attain the Abuja Declaration target of allocating at least 15 per cent of the national budget to the health sector.

The engagement comes as Zambia prepares to host the Network of African Parliamentarian Committees on Health (NEAPACOH) Conference from 25 to 27 February 2026. It also follows the successful hosting of the 75th WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC75) in Lusaka in August last year, further cementing the country’s growing role in regional and global health diplomacy.

The partnership between Zambia and WHO, now in its 61st year, continues to be guided by the 2024–2027 Country Cooperation Strategy, which focuses on advancing Universal Health Coverage and strengthening emergency preparedness and response systems.