Ethan Rhodes
Zambia has a multi-level healthcare system, with community health posts at the lowest level, district hospitals at level one, general hospitals at level two, and specialist hospitals at level three. The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka is the biggest hospital in Zambia. Formerly Lusaka Hospital, it is a level three hospital with 1,655 beds. It is a teaching hospital that trains local medical students, nurses, and other health professionals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | University Teaching Hospital (formerly Lusaka Hospital) |
| Location | Lusaka, Zambia |
| Number of Beds | 1,655 |
| Type | Specialist Hospital, Teaching Hospital, Public Tertiary Hospital |
| Departments | General Surgery, Pediatrics, Gynecology, Physiotherapy |
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What You'll Learn
The University Teaching Hospital is the biggest
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) is the biggest hospital in Zambia. Formerly Lusaka Hospital, it is the biggest public tertiary hospital in Lusaka, the country's capital. With 1,655 beds, it is the largest hospital in the country. The hospital was built in 1910 with a 15-bed capacity and was initially meant for sick Africans who were only cared for by male orderlies as there were no doctors or nurses. However, with the decision to move the capital city from Livingstone to Lusaka, plans were made for a bigger hospital to cater to the growing number of patients. Thus, a new hospital was started at the present UTH site in 1934 and became a training hospital in the same year.
Today, the University Teaching Hospital is known for providing excellent healthcare in Zambia through its innovative treatment interventions. It functions as a referral centre, offering affordable quality healthcare. The hospital has various specialisations, including general surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology, and physiotherapy. It serves as both a specialist hospital and a training site for future health workers, including doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and other health professionals.
As a teaching hospital, UTH is the main medical training institution in Zambia. It provides primary, secondary, and tertiary care to patients. The hospital has significantly expanded since its establishment, now boasting a large capacity to serve a high volume of patients. UTH is committed to making healthcare accessible to all, playing a crucial role in both urban and rural health by providing professional healthcare services. The hospital's priority remains treating and caring for the ill while also recognising its potential to improve the health of every person who walks through its doors.
The University Teaching Hospital is part of Zambia's healthcare structure, which starts from the community level with community health posts. More complex cases are referred to district hospitals, and certain cases are then referred to general hospitals like UTH. Zambia's healthcare system includes government-run, mission, and private hospitals. The country aims to provide comprehensive medical services, ensuring healthcare availability and accessibility for all its citizens.
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It has 1,655 beds
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia, is the country's largest hospital, with 1,655 beds. It is a public tertiary hospital and the main medical training institution in Zambia for doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and other health professionals. The hospital provides primary, secondary, and tertiary care and serves as a referral centre, aiming to provide affordable, quality healthcare.
The University Teaching Hospital was built in 1910 with an initial capacity of 15 beds. At the time, the hospital was meant for sick Africans who were only cared for by male orderlies as there were no doctors or nurses. However, with the decision to move the capital city from Livingstone to Lusaka, plans were made for a bigger hospital to accommodate the growing number of patients. As a result, construction began on the current UTH site in 1934, and it became a training hospital in the same year.
Today, the University Teaching Hospital is known for its excellent healthcare services and innovative treatment interventions. It specializes in various departments, including general surgery, paediatrics, gynaecology, and physiotherapy. The hospital also functions as a teaching facility, training local medical students, nurses, and other health professionals.
The University Teaching Hospital is a vital healthcare institution in Zambia, providing essential medical services and contributing to the development of the country's healthcare system. With its high bed capacity and comprehensive range of services, it plays a crucial role in ensuring access to healthcare for the Zambian population.
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It is a training site for future health workers
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia, is not only the country's largest hospital but also serves as a training site for future health workers. It is the biggest public tertiary hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, with 1,655 beds. The hospital was built in 1910 with only 15 beds and no doctors or nurses, relying solely on male orderlies for patient care. However, over the years, it has expanded significantly and become a training hospital for medical students, nurses, and other health professionals.
As a teaching hospital, UTH plays a crucial role in training local medical students, nurses, clinical officers, and other health professionals. It is the main medical training institution in Zambia for these professionals, offering them a comprehensive learning environment. The hospital provides primary, secondary, and tertiary care, ensuring that trainees gain exposure to a diverse range of medical cases and specialties.
The University Teaching Hospital is known for its commitment to providing excellent and innovative healthcare services to its patients. It specializes in various departments, including general surgery, paediatrics, gynecology, and physiotherapy. The hospital also functions as a referral centre, offering affordable quality healthcare to those in need. Its establishment as a training site ensures that Zambia is actively contributing to the development of skilled healthcare workers who can serve the community and improve access to quality healthcare.
Training sites like UTH are essential in addressing the healthcare needs of the country. By providing a practical setting for education and training, these sites contribute to the development of a competent healthcare workforce. Students and trainees gain hands-on experience, learn from seasoned professionals, and develop the skills necessary to deliver effective healthcare services. This, in turn, helps to enhance the overall standard of healthcare in Zambia and improve patient outcomes.
In addition to UTH, there are other hospitals in Zambia that contribute to training future health workers. These include Kitwe Central Hospital, Ndola Central Hospital, Arthur Davison Children's Hospital, Cancer Disease Hospital, and Chainama Mental Hospital, which are all classified as third-level hospitals. Each of these facilities plays a vital role in shaping the skills and knowledge of Zambia's future healthcare professionals.
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It provides primary, secondary and tertiary care
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka is the largest hospital in Zambia, with 1,655 beds. It was built in 1910 with a 15-bed capacity and has since expanded to become a leading healthcare provider in the country.
As a teaching hospital, UTH provides primary, secondary, and tertiary care to patients while also serving as a training site for future health workers. It is the main medical training institution in Zambia for doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and other health professionals. The hospital offers a comprehensive range of specialties, including general surgery, paediatrics, gynecology, and physiotherapy. It is known for its innovative treatment interventions and aim to provide affordable, quality healthcare to its patients.
Primary care at UTH involves providing initial patient consultation and treatment for common health concerns. This level of care is often the patient's first point of contact with the healthcare system and can include services such as general check-ups, vaccinations, and treatment for minor illnesses or injuries. Primary care helps prevent health problems from becoming more serious and promotes overall health and wellness.
Secondary care, on the other hand, involves the provision of specialised medical services. Patients are usually referred to secondary care by their primary care providers when they require more advanced treatment or expertise. UTH, as a tertiary hospital, also offers this level of care, providing patients with access to specialist physicians, advanced technologies, and complex treatments. This may include surgical procedures, intensive care, or the management of chronic conditions that require ongoing monitoring and treatment.
Tertiary care is the highest level of care provided at UTH and involves highly specialised services for severe or complex conditions. This level of care often involves advanced technology and cutting-edge treatments that may not be available at lower levels of healthcare. Tertiary care may include services such as neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, and other highly specialised medical and surgical interventions. UTH, as the largest tertiary hospital in Lusaka, plays a crucial role in providing this level of care to patients who require the most advanced and innovative treatments.
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There are very few hospitals in rural areas
The University Teaching Hospital (formerly Lusaka Hospital) is the biggest public tertiary hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. It has 1,655 beds and is used to train local medical students, nurses, and other health professionals. It is the main medical training institution in Zambia for doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and other healthcare professionals.
Zambia has hospitals spread across the country, including Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital, Chipata General Hospital, and Kitwe Central Hospital. However, there is a notable scarcity of hospitals in rural and remote areas. Most communities in these regions rely on small government-run community health centers and rural health posts. This situation is not unique to Zambia, as many parts of sub-Saharan Africa also struggle with a lack of healthcare facilities in rural regions.
Inadequate transportation networks and limited resources hinder access to basic health services and education for people living in rural Zambia. This challenge is further exacerbated by the high prevalence of HIV in these isolated communities. The Makunka Rural Health Centre, located in a remote area of Southern Zambia, is a notable example of a small rural health center making a significant impact. It provides health and educational services to over 1,200 residents who would otherwise lack access to vital medical assistance.
The Zambian government has recognized the need to improve healthcare infrastructure in rural areas. In 2013, they embarked on a project to upgrade health facilities across the country, partnering with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to receive additional support. Despite these efforts, public expenditure on health in Zambia remains low compared to other southern African countries, with only 2.8% of GDP allocated to healthcare in 2014.
The country's healthcare system is organized into three levels. The first level includes community-level services such as district hospitals, health centers, and health posts. The second and third levels consist of provincial and specialist hospitals, respectively. As of December 2025, there were eight Level 3 hospitals in Zambia, including the University Teaching Hospital and Kitwe Central Hospital.
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Frequently asked questions
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) is the largest hospital in Zambia, with 1,655 beds.
The University Teaching Hospital is a teaching hospital that trains local medical students, nurses, and other health professionals. It provides primary, secondary, and tertiary care. It specializes in departments such as general surgery, pediatrics, gynecology, and physiotherapy.
Other large hospitals in Zambia include Kitwe Central Hospital, Ndola Central Hospital, Arthur Davison Children's Hospital, Cancer Disease Hospital, and Chainama Mental Hospital.
