A senior U.S. government delegation visited Lusaka on November 17 to discuss a new direction for American health assistance in Zambia. The group began talks with Zambian officials regarding substantial new grant support from the United States aimed at strengthening Zambia’s health systems and services over the next five years.
The plan involves both governments committing to set funding levels and agreeing on specific health outcome objectives. The goal is to help shift Zambia’s health sector from relying on international aid to being led and sustained by the Zambian government.
Representatives at the meeting included Brad Smith, Senior Health Advisor from the U.S. State Department, Zambia’s Minister of Health Dr. Elijah Muchima, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, and other high-ranking officials. Also present were U.S. Ambassador Michael Gonzales and senior staff members from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the State Department. Director General Roma Chilengi of the Zambia National Public Health Institute joined Ministers Muchima and Musokotwane.
The strategy focuses on maintaining progress made against HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, outbreak surveillance, maternal and child health—areas where both countries have collaborated for more than twenty years. It also aims to strengthen laboratory capacity, data systems, staffing, and medical interventions developed through this partnership so that quality healthcare remains available in Zambia and contributes to broader regional health security.
"The new approach envisions both governments committing to funding levels and health outcome performance objectives in order to accelerate the transition from an aid-dependent health sector to a Zambian government-led health system that is able to sustainably meet the health needs of the Zambian people."