President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed the Zambian government’s strong commitment to prioritizing maternal and newborn health, underscoring that a healthy population remains a cornerstone of the country’s overall development agenda.
In a Facebook post dated June 10, 2025, President Hichilema highlighted the government’s ongoing partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other key stakeholders to address Zambia’s health challenges collaboratively. The statement followed a courtesy visit from Dr. Clement Lasuba, WHO Resident Representative to Zambia, at State House in Lusaka earlier that week.
“During our engagement, we held productive discussions on strengthening our collaboration to enhance Zambia’s capacity in the preparedness, prevention, and response to public health threats,” President Hichilema wrote, emphasizing the importance of collective action in safeguarding public health.
In a significant development, President Hichilema announced that Zambia will host the WHO Regional Committee meeting in August 2025. This event is a testament to the continued collaboration and mutual trust between the Zambian government and WHO, reinforcing Zambia’s role in shaping health policies at the regional level.
The President also welcomed the planned launch of the National Cholera Elimination Plan—a comprehensive multisectoral strategy designed to control and ultimately eradicate cholera outbreaks across the country. This initiative reflects Zambia’s commitment to tackling persistent public health threats with coordinated efforts.
“As a government, we are focused on growing the economy to enable the allocation of increased domestic resources to the health sector,” President Hichilema stated. He further emphasized that through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), investments will continue to ensure every health facility in Zambia has a fully functional maternity wing, bringing quality maternal healthcare closer to communities nationwide.
This renewed focus on maternal and newborn health highlights the Zambian government’s recognition of health as a critical driver for sustainable development. By strengthening partnerships, improving infrastructure, and prioritizing key health interventions, Zambia is working towards better health outcomes for mothers and children—an essential foundation for the country’s future growth and prosperity.