ZAMBIA CAN EMPLOY 50,000 HEALTH WORKERS WITHOUT THE AMERICAN DEAL – Antonio Mwanza Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Antonio Mourinho Mwanza has questioned the proposed employment of 40,000 health workers under Zambia’s health deal with the United States, arguing that the country could recruit 50,000 workers by increasing its domestic health budget. Mr Mwanza said […]

ZAMBIA CAN EMPLOY 50,000 HEALTH WORKERS WITHOUT THE AMERICAN DEAL – Antonio Mwanza

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Antonio Mourinho Mwanza has questioned the proposed employment of 40,000 health workers under Zambia’s health deal with the United States, arguing that the country could recruit 50,000 workers by increasing its domestic health budget.

Mr Mwanza said the UPND government had employed more than 22,000 health workers over the past five years despite allocating an average of 10 percent of the national budget to health, below the 15 percent target under the Abuja Declaration.

He questioned why Zambia should depend on a foreign agreement to expand its health workforce when the country could achieve more through increased domestic financing.

“By just increasing our annual health budget by 5%, I mean 5% not 10% just 5% we can afford to employ 50,000 health workers in the next 5 years,” he said.

Mr Mwanza warned that Zambia should not compromise its health and economic sovereignty in exchange for promised assistance, urging citizens to examine the agreement’s conditions and long-term implications.

“So why do we have to compromise our health and economic sovereignty over things we can do for ourselves?” he asked.

He further cautioned that foreign assistance could come with obligations that might not be immediately apparent, stressing the need for transparency and scrutiny of the agreement.

“And please don’t be cheated; there is no free lunch!” Mr Mwanza warned.

He urged Zambians to read America’s Health Global Strategy, also known as the America First Health Global Strategy (AFGHS), instead of relying solely on government statements and headline figures.

“Read the document for yourself. Do not simply rely on government press statements, praise singing or headline figures,” he said.

Mr Mwanza said the country should carefully assess financial obligations, procurement arrangements, health-data protection and the potential long-term effects on Zambia’s health system before determining whether the agreement serves national interests.