The Minister of Health Dr Alex Katakwe has unveiled the new National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) Board of Directors.
He unveiled the Board on Wednesday 18th March 2026, at the Ministry of Health Head Quarters, Global Fund Boardroom during the National Update on the Cholera situation.
“The Board of Directors for NHIMA has been duly constituted and is in place to provide oversight and strategic guidance for the Authority,” he said.
He stated that the NHIMA board carries a profound responsibility to safeguard the vision of universal health coverage, to uphold transparency and accountability and to drive innovation in the financing and delivery of health services.
He added that the board’s leadership was critical in ensuring that the Authority fulfilled its mandate of protecting families from the financial burden of illness, while improving health outcomes across the country.
The new Board is comprised of:
1. Mr. Geoffrey Sakulanda – Vice President of Africa Operations Kaizo Capital (Substantive Board Chairperson)
2. Ms. Mudenda Hamasumo – Senior State Advocate in the Ministry of Justice
3. Mr. Mainza Mweemba – Principal Planner Economic Management Department in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning
4. Ms. Rosemary Kalumiana Zimba – Manager Health Programmes Churches Health Association of Zambia
5. Mr. Fyatilani Chirwa – Manager Inspections and Compliance Health Professions Council of Zambia
6. Dr. Evans Chungu – Deputy Secretary General of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions
7. Dr. Friday Nyambe – Accountant AMG Global Representative from Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA)
8. Ms. Barbara Chiimbwe – Deputy Secretary General Admin Federation of Free Trade Unions in Zambia
9. Ms. Mukamasole Mundale Kasanda – Assistant Labour Commissioner Representative of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security
10. Ms. Grace Samui – Counsel and Legal and Industrial Relations Manager from the Zambia Federation of Employers
He pledged his support to the Board and declared that together they would build an inclusive, sustainable and responsive health insurance system.
He called on Board members to serve with dedication, integrity and a spirit of collaboration and reminded all that there was a great opportunity to transform lives and secure a healthier future for Zambia.
And in his acceptance speech, NHIMA Board Chairperson Mr Geoffrey Sakulanda, on behalf of the newly appointed Board of Directors, said he was grateful to the Minister and the government for the honour and confidence to serve the people of Zambia by providing governance and oversight in the implementation and running of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He assured that the Board would work to address the challenges that NHIMA faced and put NHIMA in position to achieve its Universal Health Coverage objectives.
“With your support, Honourable Minister and the support of your Ministry, the Board shall commit itself to immediately address the challenges that NHIMA currently faces to regain and enhance financial stability for us to achieve the objectives of Universal Health Coverage and also to achieve the 8th National Developmental Plan by extending NHIMA coverage to all Zambians, to be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals to which our country is signatory,” he said.
He also committed the Board to addressing issues that had constrained the operations of NHIMA and, working with the Ministry, would ensure that NHIMA became a robust and sustainable health financing mechanism.
He stated that the Board would collaborate with NHIMA management to ensure that reforms would be implemented in line with the strategic plan and collaborate with the Ministry of Health to ensure clear alignment on government goals with regards to health financing and the role of NHIMA in sustainable domestic resource mobilisation.
