Zambia and the United States of America have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Data Sharing Agreement to implement a five‑year Health Sector Cooperation Agreement. Under the deal, the United States will provide more than US$1.5 billion over five years to Zambia’s…

Zambia and the United States of America have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Data Sharing Agreement to implement a five‑year Health Sector Cooperation Agreement.

Under the deal, the United States will provide more than US$1.5 billion over five years to Zambia’s priority health programmes, while Zambia will increase domestic health expenditure by US$975 million.

Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane signed the MoU, while his Health counterpart, Roma Chilengi signed the Data Sharing Agreement, in collaboration with United States Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Lusaka, Mich Coker, who signed the agreements on behalf of his government.

Witnessing the signing ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe said the agreement renews and redefines the Zambia-US partnership that will continue to shape and transform the lives of many people positively.

Mr Haimbe expressed gratitude to the government and people of the United States for their unwavering support and friendship.

He reiterated the need to continue building a resilient, sustainable and people-centred health system that delivers better health outcomes for every Zambian.

“I wish to commend the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the Ministry of Justice, Cabinet Office, and other government institutions for the hard work and dedication that culminated in today’s signing ceremony,” the Minister indicated.

He acknowledged the longstanding relations between the two countries as evidenced in various areas of cooperation, including democracy and governance, economic growth, health and education.

Mr Haimbe noted that the partnership with the United States has greatly assisted in stimulating the growth of various sectors in the country.

Professor Chilengi, noted that the signed MoU will serve as a catalyst for Zambia’s journey towards greater self-sustainability and enhanced domestic resource mobilisation.

Professor Chilengi revealed that the agreement will enable the recruitment of more health workers, strengthen medicine supply and enhance disease surveillance.

He also clarified that the only data that the Zambian government will be required to share with the United States during the agreement period is that which speaks directly to the operations of the program.

Meanwhile, Dr Musokotwane said the support comes at a time of financial pressures arising from global economic factors, including the anticipated severe drought next year.

He noted that the partnership will provide the much-needed relief to enable the Government channel additional resources towards other critical sectors of the economy, in line with the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda.

For the Chargé d’Affaires, Mr Coker described the MoU as a transformative partnership, shifting from a donor‑recipient model to a true partnership, grounded in Zambian Leadership, Zambian ownership and shared accountability

Mr Coker affirmed that the signed MoU is focused on improving health outcomes, strengthening health financing, and enhancing systems within Zambia’s health sector.