The United States government has announced a significant cut of K1.4 billion in annual health assistance to Zambia, citing the Zambian government’s failure to take decisive action against the theft of American-donated medicines. The aid, which has supported the country’s fight against malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, will be scaled back gradually until January 2026.
US Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales made the announcement during a media briefing on Thursday, expressing grave concern over what he described as a well-coordinated and persistent theft operation. He said the frequency and pattern of the thefts left “zero doubt” that the activity was organised and involved individuals at fairly senior levels of the system.
“This is not a case of petty theft or isolated incidents,” Ambassador Gonzales stated. “What we are witnessing is an organised criminal endeavour that continues to divert lifesaving drugs from the people who need them most.”
Despite the reduction in funding, Ambassador Gonzales assured that the US government will maintain the delivery of critical medicines and medical supplies to Zambia through January 2026. The timeline is intended to provide the Zambian government with a window to establish a sustainable transition plan to continue providing care for millions of citizens who depend on these health programmes.
The ambassador noted that the US has raised concerns over the thefts multiple times and has seen minimal effort from Zambian authorities to investigate or prosecute those responsible. He urged the government to take immediate and meaningful action to demonstrate accountability and protect vital public health resources.
The aid cut is a serious blow to Zambia’s health sector, which relies heavily on international support for combating infectious diseases. The US has been one of Zambia’s most consistent health partners, and its funding has helped reduce malaria deaths, support HIV treatment for hundreds of thousands of people, and deliver critical tuberculosis care.
Zambian civil society groups and health professionals have expressed alarm over the development, warning that any disruption in medication supply could have devastating consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations.
As the country prepares to navigate the transition period, the spotlight now falls on the Zambian government to take swift and concrete measures to root out corruption within its medical supply chain. Without urgent reforms, the long-term health security of millions of Zambians could hang in the balance.