The historical background 

1930-1950

During the 1930’s, the mission health workers in Zambia realized that collaborative planning and cooperation was cardinal in establishing a working relationship with the Ministry of Health (MoH). It was at this point that a Medical Committee was formed. The Zambia Association of Sisterhoods also conducted regular meetings. All church health facilities belonged to one or the other group, except for the African Evangelical Fellowship and the Christian Mission in Many Lands (CMML).

In the 1950’s and 1960’s the Medical Committee of the Christian Council met regularly, two to three times a year and by the mid 1960’s members from the Catholic Church attended  the meetings, most prominent among them was Fr. Crispin Brennan  of the Order of Franciscan Missionaries Capuchin (OFM Cap). He was the Assistant Secretary General to the Catholic Secretariat. In those years Dr. Thuma of Macha, Dr. Sydney Gauntlett of Chikankata and the Rev. Dr. John Parry of Mbereshi took turns as secretaries of the committee.

With increasing cooperation between the Catholic Episcopal Conference and member churches of the Christian Council of Zambia, the desire for a united association became stronger. It was hoped that this would bring together all churches involved in health care and help coordinate their work in planning among themselves and the MoH.

1968; October 15-Historical meeting

The Medical Committee of the Christian Council of Zambia met with Dr. Hosea Namilikwa of Tanzania and  the Rev. Dr. Jack Wilkinson of the Kenyan Presbyterian Church who were recommended by the World Council of  Churches (WCC) to conduct a survey of the churches’ medical work in Zambia to discuss the completion of research. Four representatives from the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) attended the meeting as observers. The surveyors presented a report with eight recommendations and the top two were:

That all the churches and missions that provide medical services in Zambia join together to form a Hospital Association membership of which shall be on the sole basis of the provision of medical services.

That a full time Secretariat be established for this Association in Lusaka in close and constant contact with the MoH.

After that meeting a working group was formed to prepare the ground work for the association. It consisted of Fr. Crispin Brennan, Dr. Charles Musk and Dr. James Cairns. In the meantime the Zambian Government had also shown interest in the idea that the churches should be associated more closely in the planning of health services in the country, hence it requested for a representative from the churches to sit on the Planning Committee and the statistics Committee.

December 6: First Draft Constitution

By the end of 1969, all parties concerned had generally agreed to set up the mother body of church medical institutions in Zambia and a draft constitution was tabled at the meeting of the medical Committee of the Christian Council of Zambia. The document was accepted in principle and the working group was further assigned to look into the recruitment of a full time secretary or secretaries for the association.

Birth of Churches Medical Association of Zambia (CMAZ)

The Churches Medical Association of Zambia (CMAZ) was formed soon after the survey by Dr. Namilikwa and Dr. Wilkinson. All but two Churches agreed to pay the subscription of K3.00 per recognized bed in the first year, 1970. Although this was in many cases a considerable strain on budgets that were already overstretched, it illustrated the conviction held by all that the churches must plan and work together.

CMAZ provided a forum on which church health institutions have been able to take united stance on matters of common interest. The objectives of the association included;

To develop the highest level of patient care by improving and strengthening cooperation among members and the MoH.

To develop and coordinate training programmes in cooperation with the Medical Council of Zambia and the MoH.

To assist members to obtain staff and supplies and coordinate all clinical and preventive care provided by members and the MoH.

Member Churches

The following became members of the new organization; Zambia Episcopal Conference, African Evangelical Fellowship, Anglican, Brethren in Christ, Christian Mission in Many Lands, Northern Baptist Union, Pilgrim Wesleyan, Reformed Church in Zambia, Salvation Army, Scandinavian Baptist, United Church in Zambia.

The first Secretary was appointed in January 1971, Mr. Richard Webb. Following him in May 1977 was Mr. Michael Chesterman.

The first Chairman of CMAZ from 1970 to 1976 and again 1978 to 1993 was Dr. James Cairns, of St. Francis Mission Hospital.

May 1996; Memorandum of Understanding with Government signed.

After a long period of protracted negotiations, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the MoH and CMAZ. The Minister of Health Mr. Michael Sata signed on behalf of the Government and Dr. James Cairns, the Chairman of CMAZ signed for the association.

From CMAZ to CHAZ

The Association changed its name from Churches Medical Association of Zambia  (CMAZ) to Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) at the 30th Annual General Council in 2000 because the term Medical is just curative services while as Health is broader because it includes prevention, curative services, nutrition and HIV impact mitigation.

The growth of CHAZ

CHAZ has grown so rapidly and done a remarkable job especially in addressing Public Health priorities. The association  has established effective Governance and Management structures, improved communication with members, consolidated and built on CHAZ’s success in HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, and strengthened and expanded CHAZ’s role in storage and Distribution of Drugs. CHAZ has also strengthened partnerships especially with the Ministry of Health, strengthen the M&E systems, increase CHAZ’s role in Advocacy and develop a long term fund raising strategy.