No debate, Health Bill now law – Minister

THE National Health Insurance Bill is now law and there should be no debate about that, says Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya.

Dr Chilufya said there should be no more discussions of whether somebody was consulted or not, but that people must comply with the mandate required under the new law.

He said this when he officiated at the Labour Day celebrations held in Kabwe Central Province, that Zambians should not allow themselves to be misled by some unscrupulous people.

He said the scheme was a way in which the Government was providing guaranteed quality healthcare services for not just the employed but for all Zambians across the country.

"The National Health Insurance Bill is now law and does not call for any debates. Zambians should not allow themselves to be misguided by those who have refused to support Government programmes that help improve the lives of the people," he said.

This was in response to sentiments expressed in a speech by the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) youth senior trustee Mary Mulenga who announced that the youthful workforce had rejected the NHIB as the young people were not consulted in the formulation of the bill.

Dr Chilufya said Government remains committed to improving the lives of all Zambian people and the NHIB was one of the outstanding achievements of the Patriotic Front government to guaranteeing a healthy, hardworking and productive workforce to grow the economy.

He was however elated by ZCTU position that acknowledged the bill as law, that employers and their employees must be allowed to assimilate its implication once enforced.

Dr Chilufya challenged employees to support the programme that takes care of the wellbeing of the nation without monitory demands.