Today, Global Fund Senior Manager Bertha Simwaka paid a courtesy call on the Acting Minister of Health, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, to discuss strengthening collaboration and ensuring the sustainability of health interventions across Zambia. The meeting focused on reviewing progress made under current programs, assessing financial sustainability, and identifying challenges affecting implementation. Both parties emphasized the importance of prudent resource utilization and maintaining transparent, accountable systems to achieve lasting health outcomes for Zambians.
Hon. Mweetwa highlighted the government’s appreciation for its longstanding partnership with the Global Fund and other cooperating partners in strengthening Zambia’s health systems. He stressed that sustained results depend on the careful use of locally generated resources alongside partner support, even as Zambia records notable progress in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. The Acting Minister emphasized that resources allocated to the health sector must reach their intended beneficiaries and deliver tangible outcomes. He also cited President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to accountability and transparency in public service, noting the recent forensic audit at the Ministry of Health as evidence of efforts to curb corruption and ensure public funds benefit citizens directly.
The visit provided an important platform to review ongoing programs, evaluate financial sustainability, and openly discuss challenges affecting implementation. Hon. Mweetwa expressed gratitude to cooperating partners for their support and reiterated the government’s commitment to deepening cooperation to deliver quality and equitable healthcare services across Zambia. He described the Global Fund’s engagement as timely, offering an opportunity to strengthen oversight and strategic alignment in health programming.
During the meeting, Global Fund Senior Manager Bertha Simwaka commended the Zambian government for efficiently implementing major health infrastructure projects under the COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) as preparations begin for the next funding allocation cycle. She noted that the mission’s objectives include reviewing the transition and close-out of current grants, particularly the C19RM facility ending in June, and engaging with government on strategic priorities under the forthcoming allocation. Simwaka acknowledged that Zambia had strengthened public health systems during the implementation period, praising improvements in decision-making and inter-ministerial coordination compared to previous cycles.
Zambia currently implements Global Fund-supported programs valued at approximately US$360 million, alongside the concluding COVID-19 funding mechanism. The meeting underscored the continued importance of collaboration between the Global Fund and the Zambian government to achieve long-term health outcomes. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that health sector resources are used effectively, interventions remain sustainable, and citizens benefit directly from strengthened healthcare systems across the country.