403 MINISTRY OF HEALTH HEADQUARTERS WORKERS TO UNDERGO QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT

403 MINISTRY OF HEALTH HEADQUARTERS WORKERS TO UNDERGO QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCE ASSESSMENT

Government has launched a major cleanup and staff realignment exercise at the Ministry of Health headquarters, with all 403 positions set to undergo a qualification and competence assessment.

In a ministerial statement issued on October 13, 2026, Minister of Health Professor Roma Chilengi said the exercise aims to strengthen compliance with the approved organisational structure, improve administrative efficiency and ensure that qualified personnel occupy positions suited to their credentials.

The Ministry said an internal assessment had established that 123 officers had been working at headquarters under temporary administrative arrangements, outside the officially approved 2021 establishment, which provides for 403 positions.

As part of the exercise, all 123 affected officers are being redirected to their substantive primary stations, where their official pay points and original postings are located.

The Ministry said the move is intended to address staffing imbalances and strengthen service delivery at frontline health facilities and decentralised administrative centres across the country.

Following the redeployment of the 123 officers, the Ministry will assess the qualifications and competencies of personnel occupying positions within the approved 403-member headquarters establishment.

According to the statement, every position will be evaluated against established professional standards and job descriptions.

Officers found not to possess the required academic, professional or technical qualifications for their current headquarters roles will be reassigned to appropriate operational stations that match their verified credentials

The Ministry said the exercise would establish a stronger operational foundation, improve governance and streamline administrative processes as Government seeks to enhance the delivery of public healthcare services nationwide.

-Zambian Watch.