MATHEWS MALAZIKA, CHOMBA MUSIKA Lusaka ZAMBIA and the United States are tomorrow set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on health financing involving a combined commitment of more than US$3.6 billion over the next five years, in what Government says will strengthen the…

MATHEWS MALAZIKA,

CHOMBA MUSIKA

Lusaka

ZAMBIA and the United States are tomorrow set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on health financing involving a combined commitment of more than US$3.6 billion over the next five years, in what Government says will strengthen the country’s health sector.

Minister of Health Roma Chilengi said the United States Government would provide US$1.516 billion, representing 41.8 per cent of the total commitment, while the Zambian Government would contribute US$2.107 billion, equivalent to 58.2 per cent.

Prof Chilengi said the agreement would be formally signed at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and described the development as an important milestone in the co-financing of Zambia’s health sector.

He said the United States had historically been a critical partner in supporting healthcare delivery in Zambia and that the new financing arrangement would augment Government’s efforts to improve health services.

Prof Chilengi said the MoU had initially attracted concerns regarding data protection, intellectual property, benefit sharing and specimen sharing, but the issues had since been addressed during negotiations.

He said the revised agreement did not provide for the sharing of individual patient information, but only contained data required for monitoring and evaluating programmes supported under the agreement.

“Therefore, we are very happy to proceed to sign the MoU as revised. The approach of the MoU is that over the next five years, the US Government is committing to support the Zambian Government with funding that will augment the work that we do,” the minister said.

Prof Chilengi also dismissed speculation that the agreement was linked to Zambia’s mineral resources, particularly critical minerals.

“As Ministry of Health, we never ever saw any MoU that speaks to critical minerals,” he said, adding that there was no mention of critical minerals in the health agreement.

The minister said the agreement required Zambia to increase its contribution to health over the five-year period.

He also disclosed that Zambia had submitted a US$315 million funding request to Global Fund for the 2027-2029 period, alongside more than US$200 million in prioritised needs.

Prof Chilengi said Government had increased the health budget from K13 billion in 2022 to K26 billion in 2026, describing the increase as a demonstration of its commitment to improving citizens’ well being. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home