Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Tambatamba, has disclosed that 14 thousand recipients of the Social Cash Transfer Programme in Kasempa District in North-Western Province, will be registered as members under the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA).

Ms Tambatamba says 14 thousand individuals under social cash transfer will be targeted to benefit from NHIMA.

She said this during the launch of the NHIMA membership registration exercise in Kasempa.

The minister implored the residents to take advantage of the opportunity by registering themselves and their family members.

 “It is the desire of government that the poor and vulnerable individuals and households are protected from further vulnerability and poverty. I would like to call on the people of Kasempa to exploit this opportunity to the maximum by registering themselves and their families in big numbers during the 15 days of registration,” she said.

“I would also like to call on all levels of leadership in the district like the political and civic leadership and even traditional leadership in the district to ensure that we encourage our people to register with NHIMA,” Ms Tambatamba added.

She appealed to the business community to consider setting up health facilities which are lacking in the district to enhance health care service delivery.

“I would also like to call for people and business houses to establish health facilities such as pharmacies, laboratory centres and private clinics in Kasempa to be accredited to NHIMA so that NHIMA registered members in Kasempa can have access to such,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, NHIMA Director General, Michael Nyapau reiterated the government’s commitment to attaining universal healthcare coverage.

“We are responding to the call by the government to ensure the sustainable extension of NHIMA services and coverage to the poor and vulnerable populations as an important milestone in the agenda of universal healthcare coverage,” she said.