Kalemba

President Hakainde Hichilema arrives in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Africa-France Summit.

Mwembeshi correctional facility gets first-ever modern clinic through CDF

INMATES, surrounding community and officers at Mwembeshi Maximum Correctional Centre in Chilanga District will now have a dedicated health facility within reach.

This is after the official handover of a modern clinic, the first of its kind built around a correctional facility in Zambia, funded through the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at a cost of K1.5 million.

The new Mwembeshi Clinic is expected to ease access to healthcare not only for inmates and correctional staff, but also for nearby residents, marking a significant shift in service delivery for a community long underserved.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Chilanga Member of Parliament Sipho Hlazo described the project as a reflection of Government’s commitment to inclusive development.

He said access to healthcare remains a fundamental right for every citizen, regardless of circumstance.

Chilanga Town Council Secretary Francis Ndola called the development historic, noting that the enhanced CDF continues to drive visible infrastructure improvements in local communities.

The clinic’s commissioning comes amid a wave of development projects in Chilanga District.

Just a week earlier, First Lady Mutinta Hichilema commissioned the newly built K35 million Mutinta Hichilema Secondary School, while three sewing machines were also donated to the Mwembeshi Skills Training Centre to support inmate rehabilitation through skills training.

Kalemba May 11, 2026

NHIMA dismisses reports of private health facility abandoning scheme

THE National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) has dismissed assertions that private health facilities are abandoning scheme due to unpaid bills.

This comes after, Carepeak Specialist Clinic announced the cancelation of its contract with the authority and it's intention to stop treating NHIMA patients from May 24, 2026.

"This is due to unsustainable settlement of claims for services provided to NHIMA supported clients," the clinic announced.

Following Carepeak's withdrawal, there has been assertions online that may private health institution were abandoning NHIMA because it does not pay, reports which the authority have labeled as false.

NHIMA head of public relations King Syacika said the authority has not received similar notices from other facilities and instead continues to receive applications from private healthcare providers seeking accreditation.

He assured members of continued access to healthcare services and said Carepeak Specialist Clinic’s decision should not be interpreted as a broader withdrawal of private healthcare providers from the national health insurance scheme.

"We therefore wish to assure our members and the nation that the withdraw of one health care private facility should not be used to undermine the NHIMA mission of ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare services for all Zambians," Syacika said.

According to NHIMA, the scheme currently works with more than 400 accredited public, private, and faith-based healthcare providers across Zambia.

Meanwhile, the authority also disclosed that some Lusaka-based private health facilities have been limiting the number of NHIMA patients seen daily.

"The authority has identified a few Lusaka based private facilities who have been rationing the number of NHIMA patients to be seen daily," he added.

"The Authority is dealing with this matter with the identified facilities [to address the issue]."

Kalemba May 11, 2026