By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
The National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) says it has so far paid K360m to hospitals in claims and other advances.
NHIMA Board Chairperson Richard Mwiinga said that the figure is expected to increase significantly this year.
Dr Mwiinga said monthly visits to accredited facilities have also increased from 5,000 in 2020 to nearly 70,000 in the first half of this year.
Dr Mwiinga also said that over 1.8m principle and beneficiary members have been enrolled into the scheme.
“NHIMA has at the same time opened up 12 provincial and regional offices aimed at devolution of services to communities and off rail line population,” he said.
Dr Mwiinga was speaking at a media briefing to give an update on the progress made by the authority as a new board in Lusaka.
And NHIMA Director General James Kapesa said there is some improvement in accessing services by cancer patients at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka.
Mr Kapesa said the treatment comes with high costs but pointed out that patients who are on the scheme are able to access MRI Scan.
He also said that the insurance scheme does not cover national disasters such as cholera though during Covid-19 peak, there was a spike in claims for medicine.
