There is a continuing and growing concern in the health sector with regard to the amount of resources available and how these resources are being utilised to maximise provision of quality health care services. Due to a number of reasons demand for health services has been increasing. Zambia’s population has continued to rise at a high rate of 3% per annum.

The Zambia Demographic and Health Surveys is an important part of the surveillance system providing indicators for the strategic management and monitoring of the health sector in Zambia. Indicators from the surveys show the current status and trends in important areas of health care delivery such as environmental health, reproductive health, maternal health, child health, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.

Malnutrition is serious public health concern in Zambia. It is estimated that 1.5 million children suffer from chronic malnutrition. The most recent data shows that among children less than five years of age, 47% are stunted, 28% are underweight and 5% are acutely malnourished. Additionally, Zambia has the highest malnutrition case fatality (40%) in the region. Micronutrient deficiencies are also prevalent, especially vitamin A and iron deficiency.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Progress Report 2008 is the third, after the 2003 and 2005 publications, to be produced by the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the United Nations Country Team.