The Zambian government has announced plans to recruit some of the health workers who lost their jobs after the withdrawal of funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Treasury Secretary Felix Nkulukusa made the revelation in a recent interview, offering hope to many health professionals affected by the funding cuts.
Earlier this year, the United States government imposed a 90-day pause on funding for International Development Programmes, which included critical health initiatives in Zambia. This pause was followed in February by a formal withdrawal of USAID funding, leading to the termination of several health projects across the country. The move resulted in numerous job losses among health workers employed under these projects.
Secretary Nkulukusa explained that the government had originally planned to employ around 2,000 new health workers in 2025. However, instead of recruiting entirely new personnel, the government will prioritize hiring some of the now-unemployed USAID health workers to fill existing vacancies.
“This approach allows us to utilize experienced health workers who are already familiar with the local health system,” Nkulukusa said, adding that recruitment will depend on the availability of positions within the public health sector.
The decision underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining essential healthcare services despite funding challenges. By absorbing displaced USAID health workers, Zambia aims to minimize disruptions in healthcare delivery and retain valuable human resources within the sector.
The withdrawal of USAID funding has posed significant challenges for Zambia’s health system, but the government’s responsive strategy reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize and strengthen healthcare provision across the country.
As recruitment processes progress, affected health workers are encouraged to apply for available positions through official government channels. This move is expected to bolster the workforce and support Zambia’s broader health goals for the year.