Yesterday morning, Monday 23rd February, a delegation from the Global Fund Secretariat in Geneva visited the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Lusaka to meet Acting Minister of Health, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa. The visit focused on reviewing Zambia’s progress under existing grants, discussing the upcoming Cycle 8 allocation, and addressing critical implementation and sustainability challenges in combating HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The delegation evaluated the effectiveness of ongoing programmes and explored strategies to strengthen health systems across the country. This high-level engagement highlights Zambia’s commitment to global health partnerships and the importance of continued collaboration in achieving national and international health targets. It also provided an opportunity for both sides to align priorities and ensure the efficient use of resources.
During the meeting, the Global Fund delegation commended Zambia for the successful implementation of programmes supported through routine allocations of approximately US$360 million, as well as additional support from the COVID-19 Response Mechanism. These investments have enabled the development of critical infrastructure, including the establishment of oxygen plants, solarisation of health facilities, and expansion of ZAMMSA hubs. Such interventions have strengthened the country’s capacity to respond to health emergencies while ensuring continuity of essential services. The delegation noted that these achievements reflect strong programme management, accountability, and a focus on sustainability. Their assessment affirmed that Zambia is effectively leveraging international support to improve health outcomes across multiple disease areas.
In his remarks, Hon. Mweetwa conveyed President Hakainde Hichilema’s appreciation for the Global Fund’s ongoing partnership and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to transparent and prudent resource management. He emphasized that safeguarding public health investments is central to sustaining progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The Acting Minister also highlighted the importance of collaboration with cooperating partners to address emerging health challenges and ensure that interventions remain impactful and inclusive. Zambia’s strategic approach prioritizes both immediate service delivery and long-term capacity building, ensuring that programmes can continue to benefit communities across the country.
The Ministry of Health remains dedicated to working closely with the Global Fund and other development partners to achieve sustained improvements in health outcomes for all Zambians. The visit reinforced the importance of maintaining momentum in disease prevention, treatment, and health infrastructure development. By focusing on both programme effectiveness and sustainability, Zambia aims to strengthen its health systems, reduce disease burden, and enhance the quality of care provided to citizens. This engagement underscores the critical role of international partnerships in supporting national health priorities and demonstrates Zambia’s commitment to achieving measurable, lasting results in public health.