Health Minister Elijah Muchima has come out strongly to defend the UPND government’s fight against corruption in the health sector, expressing surprise at criticisms suggesting a lack of action. Speaking in response to remarks made following the US government’s decision to cut K1.4 billion in aid to Zambia, Muchima said that the country is not reacting to foreign pressure but has already taken substantial steps to tackle corruption.
Muchima stated that the Ministry of Health has been actively addressing graft long before the US made its announcement, with some individuals already appearing in court for offenses related to drug theft and misuse of public resources. He emphasized that Zambia’s anti-corruption drive is internally motivated and not a result of international coercion.
“I don’t understand how people are saying there is no action when we have instituted processes and some culprits are already facing the law. The Ministry of Health has been cleaning up its systems, and this has not started today,” Muchima said.
The Minister also dismissed claims that the US funding cut was the trigger for action, adding that similar cuts are being implemented in other countries and are not unique to Zambia. According to Muchima, the move should be seen in a broader context rather than interpreted as a direct condemnation of Zambia’s governance.
His comments came in the wake of a statement by Shiwang’andu PF Member of Parliament Stephen Kampyongo, who argued that the aid suspension was unsurprising given the UPND administration’s failure to address persistent irregularities in the health sector. Kampyongo accused the government of neglecting to follow up on reports of drug theft and mismanagement.
However, Muchima pushed back against that narrative, saying critics are ignoring the systemic reforms being implemented to improve transparency and accountability. He reiterated that the Ministry has tightened monitoring mechanisms and improved supply chain management to reduce opportunities for theft and corruption.
The debate around the US aid cut has reignited broader discussions on donor confidence, accountability, and governance in Zambia’s public service. While opposition voices claim the aid suspension is a signal of failure, government officials maintain that progress is being made, albeit not always publicly visible.
As the issue unfolds, the spotlight remains on how effectively Zambia can balance domestic reform efforts with the expectations of international partners, especially in critical sectors such as health.