GOVERNMENT has removed the specimen-sharing requirement from the US$1.5 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Government. Minister of Health, Professor Roma Chilengi, disclosed this at a media briefing, saying the two governments have agreed on a revised MoU following public concerns over some clauses. Prof. Chilengi said concerns had been raised over

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GOVERNMENT has removed the specimen-sharing requirement from the US$1.5 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Government.

Minister of Health, Professor Roma Chilengi, disclosed this at a media briefing, saying the two governments have agreed on a revised MoU following public concerns over some clauses.

Prof. Chilengi said concerns had been raised over the duration of the MoU, data protection, intellectual property and benefit-sharing, and conditions relating to specimen sharing.

“I am happy to say that all those contentions have been duly reviewed and addressed. The MoU, as we now have it, has been revised accordingly, and we are very comfortable as the Government of Zambia that we can proceed to sign it,” he said.

He confirmed that the revised MoU contains no reference to specimen-sharing.

“The provision has been completely removed. The Government of the Republic of Zambia will not be obliged to share any specimen as a result of this MoU,” Prof. Chilengi said.

He added that concerns over patient information and data sharing had also been addressed, noting that the revised agreement only provides for information related to monitoring and evaluating the programme.

“We are therefore very happy to proceed with the signing of the MoU as revised,” he said.

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