NHIMA is Zambia's compulsory national health insurance scheme managed by the National Health Insurance Management Authority. If you are a formal employee, your employer registers you automatically once you join. If you are self-employed or in the informal sector, you register yourself online at enhima.nhima.co.zm with a copy of your NRC (front and back). You can also register your spouse and up to five children under 18 as dependants under your membership [National Health Insurance Act No. 2 of 2018].
For formal employees, NHIMA contributions are 2% of your salary, split equally between you (1%) and your employer (1%), with no earnings cap. If you are self-employed or informal, your premium is set by income assessment. To find out what you will pay, contact NHIMA on hotline 8000 rather than relying on any published flat figure. You can confirm current contribution deadlines on nhima.co.zm.
Once registered, you use your NHIMA membership card or number at any accredited health facility. The scheme covers consultations, laboratory tests, medicines, and inpatient and specialist services within the benefit package. To get medicines, present a stamped prescription from an accredited facility to an accredited pharmacy. Care at non-accredited providers is not covered. Check nhima.co.zm to confirm which services and medicines fall within your benefit package and any waiting periods that apply.