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Access to Health Zambia (A2HealthZ), formerly known as Catholic Medical Mission Board Zambia (CMMB-Z), is a local, non-governmental organisation (NGO) focused on improving the lives of women, mothers, adolescents, and children in Zambia.
We deploy context‐responsive health interventions, while catalysing community ownership. The result is sustained impact and resilience against extreme poverty and disease.
Our strategic plan recognizes that health for all is not achievable through treatment of disease alone. We must also holistically support the physical, social, and mental well-being of those we serve. Referencing Zambia’s Health in All Policy (HIAP) for guidance, our plan addresses everything from water, sanitation, shelter, and food safety/security to education, livelihoods, agriculture and climate change.
We have been serving remote communities of Zambia for over 50 years. First as CMMB Zambia and now as Access to Health Zambia—a highly respected, locally-registered organisation. Throughout this transition, our vision, mission, and core values remain the same.
Every human life is valued, and health and human dignity are shared by all.
Inspired by the example of Jesus, Access to Health Zambia (A2HealthZ) works in partnership countrywide to deliver locally sustainable, quality health solutions to women, children, and their communities.
Collaboration: To work in partnership for locally sustainable solutions
Love: To embrace and be compassionate towards all people
Excellence: To deliver sustainable, quality, and impactful results
Accountability: To hold ourselves and each other to high ethical standards and practices that maintain the good name of A2HealthZ
Respect: To act always with integrity, and to value and honour the dignity of all
Access to Health Zambia (A2HealthZ) served as Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) Inc. from 1965–2023, and formally began the localization process in 2019. Over the decades, our work has supported all 10 provinces in Zambia and focused on strengthening community health systems and improving the outcomes of maternal and child health. We also support CMMB Inc.’s robust Medical Donations programme, where we distribute highly needed medicines and supplies nationally, and place skilled volunteers across mission hospitals operated by the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ).
Committed to building sustainable solutions to health, we completed the final step of localization in 2023 through the adoption of a new name, Access to Health Zambia. Today, as an autonomous entity, we have an independent governing board and experienced local staff. We remain a member of the CMMB Inc. global community and work in partnership with CMMB Inc.’s headquarters based on a principle of ‘subsidiarity.’ Together, we continue to improve the lives of women and children, in line with local, government-driven health agendas.
We work directly with the Ministry of Health, as well as the Ministries of Community Development and Social Services, Education, Agriculture, Water and Sanitation, Local Government and Housing, and Fisheries and Livestock. Other partners include Zambia Council of Catholic Bishops, United Church of Zambia, and the Churches Health Association of Zambia (the umbrella organization of Zambia’s faith-based healthcare institution), and other local and international civil society organizations.
Empowering women to be healthy, educated, and self-confident enables them to better nurture their own children. When women are given the means to overcome poverty and health challenges, not only do they lead fulfilling lives, but they also pave the way for their children, families, and communities to prosper.
In Zambia, women and children are some of the most vulnerable groups, grappling with the brunt of diseases, poverty, and inequalities. Despite their crucial roles in their communities, many women and children lack access to high-quality healthcare, compounding the various threats to their well-being.
We understand that an improvement in health translates to an improvement in overall quality of life. We believe that hope has the remarkable power to motivate women as they confront obstacles, and ultimately bring about positive change in the lives of their children.
The opportunity to access health services through dependable health infrastructure, at both community and national levels, and a reliable supply of medicines can turn hope into reality.
Women are the cornerstone of their families and the backbone of their communities. Mothers and grandmothers are at the heart of households, playing an indispensable role in establishing and sustaining healthy homes. In their universal capacity as primary caregivers, women take on the responsibility of looking after the sick, the elderly, and orphaned children. Furthermore, they are entrusted with raising children who deserve to develop with healthy habits, a positive mindset, strong values, and a well-rounded upbringing.
We invest in women because their investments extend to others. Research indicates that investing in the health of women and children saves countless lives and delivers potentially up to nine times the return on initial economic investment.
Our reach is national and extends to some of the most remote and underserved corners of Zambia. We have community-trusted, inspiringly dedicated, courageous, and technically competent staff at our field offices in the provinces of Lusaka, Copperbelt, Western, North-Western, Luapula and Northern. Our reach extends further with partners in Central Province. Together, we work to transform the lives of women and children every day. Explore the map to see where we currently work.
Chililabombwe
Chingola
Ndola
Kitwe
Luanshya
Mpongwe
Mufulira
Lusaka
Kabwe
Mansa
Nchelenge
Solowezi
Mwandi
Mbala
Kasama
Access to Health Zambia (A2HealthZ) is committed to providing a work environment free of harassment and discrimination that supports individual dignity and respect. It is your responsibility as an A2HealthZ employee, partner, volunteer, or beneficiary to blow the whistle if you have any concern or complaints about any kind of abuse with relation to A2HealtZ’s work.
Please call this toll free line: +260 761 167 100
Access to Health Zambia (A2HealthZ), formerly known as Catholic Medical Mission Board Zambia (CMMB-Z), is a local, non-governmental organisation (NGO) focused on improving the lives of women, mothers, adolescents, and children in Zambia.