[1] It is a teaching hospital and, as such, is used to train local medical students, nurses and other health professionals.

UTH is the main medical training institution in Zambia for doctors, nurses, clinical officers and other health professionals.

It was built in 1910 with 15 bed capacity and was meant for sick Africans who were only cared for by male orderlies as the hospital had no doctors and nurses.

[2][3] With the decision to move the capital city from Livingstone to a much more central Lusaka, plans for a bigger hospital to cater for the increasing number of patients were prepared.

[4] UTH offers both inpatient and outpatient care and is a center for specialist referrals from across the country.