Our Work in Zambia
On June 16, 2008 the Zambian Cabinet reviewed the New Health Professions Act 2006, an Act that the Abt Associates-led PSP-One project drafted to remove policy barriers that stymie Zambia's health system and human resources for health. The Cabinet approval in June demonstrated commitment by parliamentarians for the bill, which will give nurses in the private sector expanded rights to own and operate their own clinics without being mandating to hire a physician for oversight. As cabinet approval of this bill could not have happened without intensive advocacy efforts by the Minister of Health, the Cabinet passage is a significant policy success for PSP-One and the government of Zambia.
By removing the financial and personnel constraints associated with hiring physicians who are in short supply throughout Zambia (Zambia hosts .12 physicians per 1000 people), the Act incentives nurses to remain in the health sector, while increasing patient service delivery sites. Notably, the bill will retain quality by setting guidelines and penalties for all health professionals acting beyond their scope of capacity. The Council uses licensing, accreditation and inspection as tools for oversight of the health professions.
Recent Progress in the Passage of The New Health Professions ActIn October 2008, Zambia's Department of Justice initiated the translation of the bill into official legalese (a process that reviews existing laws to ensure that the new bills passage will not contradict any existing laws, such as the pre-existing Medical and Allied Health Professions Act). This legal translation, marks another significant step forward in the bills passage: namely Department of Justice's local ownership and support for the Act's march towards passage.
What Next Years Anticipated Passage of the Act Means for Zambia Health SystemSupport and ownership for this bill continues to be timely. In September 2008, the Banking on Health Project helped structure a Development Credit Authority guarantee which was approved by the USAID mission in Zambia. The mission's DCA guarantee, combined with next years expected passage of The Act, will provide the legal and financial reforms necessary to encourage nurses to open new clinics.
The New Health Professions Council would also expand quality oversight of the profession (to ensure representation from the Medical Association, Pharmacists, Dentists, Nurses, Faith Based Health Associations and other Allied Professionals). The New Health Professions Council will streamline mechanisms for registering, licensing, accrediting, and setting continuing medical education requirements for providers and facilities. Nurses who practice within the nursing scope of work will be licensed by the Nursing Council, which removes the potential for duplicate licensure requirements (from the Nursing Council and the Medical Council).
If passed into law, the new health policy and accompanying financial reforms, could drastically incentivize new investments in health; an outcome that benefits the country, the health system, and most importantly, the patients.
