Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maternal and child healthcare through its longstanding partnership with the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. Vice President Dr W.K. Mutale-Nalumango has highlighted the importance of continued cooperation with the Foundation following a courtesy visit by a delegation led by Dr Tewodros Bekele. The meeting provided an opportunity for Government to express appreciation for the Foundation’s contribution to the country’s health sector and its efforts to improve the well-being of mothers and children. Speaking on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema and the people of Zambia, the Vice President warmly welcomed Dr Bekele and his delegation to the country. She also emphasised that partnerships focused on maternal and child health remain essential to building a healthier and more prosperous Zambia.
The Vice President described the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation as a longstanding and valued partner in Zambia’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery. She noted that the Foundation’s support has been particularly important in advancing maternal health and child health outcomes. These areas remain central to the Government’s broader healthcare priorities because the well-being of mothers and children directly affects the health and development of communities. Improving access to quality healthcare services can help address challenges that affect women during pregnancy, childbirth and the period after delivery. It can also strengthen the care children receive during their early years, when access to appropriate health services is particularly important.
Dr Mutale-Nalumango stressed that the objectives of the partnership are closely aligned with Zambia’s National Health Strategic Plan. The Government’s broader commitment is to strengthen the delivery of quality, accessible and reliable healthcare services across the country. She explained that maternal and child health outcomes are important indicators of the overall performance of the health sector, particularly in Zambia and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The ability of a health system to protect mothers and children reflects its capacity to provide essential services to communities. For this reason, investments in maternal and child healthcare must remain a national priority.
The Vice President further emphasised that maternal health should be viewed as a national development issue rather than simply a healthcare concern. Healthy mothers and children contribute to stronger families, productive communities and a more prosperous society. When women have access to appropriate healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth, the benefits extend beyond individual families to the wider national population. Similarly, improving child health creates better opportunities for children to grow, develop and contribute meaningfully to society in the future. Dr Mutale-Nalumango therefore maintained that protecting the lives and well-being of mothers and children is fundamental to Zambia’s long-term development ambitions.
Government has also assured the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation that resources provided through the partnership will be used responsibly and for their intended purposes. Dr Mutale-Nalumango highlighted the importance of tangible results, transparency and accountability in managing development support. She explained that Government remains committed to fulfilling its responsibilities and ensuring that every investment produces meaningful benefits for ordinary Zambians. This commitment is particularly important in the health sector, where effective use of resources can directly influence the quality and availability of essential services. Strong accountability measures also help maintain trust between Government and its cooperating partners while ensuring that support reaches the areas where it is needed most.
Another important issue highlighted during the meeting was the Lusaka Agenda, which seeks to improve coordination and alignment of resources within the health sector. The initiative promotes a more coordinated national approach to healthcare financing and development, regardless of where funding originates. The Vice President described the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation as an important partner in helping Zambia advance this agenda. Better coordination can reduce fragmentation in health programmes and support more effective use of available resources. It can also help ensure that development partners and Government work towards shared national priorities instead of operating through disconnected programmes.
The Lusaka Agenda reflects the importance of shared responsibility in strengthening healthcare systems and improving health outcomes. Zambia recognises that achieving meaningful progress requires cooperation between Government, development partners and other stakeholders in the health sector. Partnerships must be guided by clear priorities, effective coordination and accountability for the resources committed. Such cooperation can help strengthen healthcare delivery while ensuring that investments respond to the actual needs of communities. Dr Mutale-Nalumango reiterated that partnerships built on these principles are essential to accelerating progress towards better healthcare for all Zambians.
The visit by Dr Tewodros Bekele and the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation delegation therefore represents an important opportunity to reaffirm cooperation in one of Zambia’s most critical development sectors. Government’s appreciation for the Foundation’s longstanding support reflects the value it places on partnerships that contribute to improved maternal and child health. At the same time, the assurance on transparency and accountability demonstrates the importance of ensuring that development assistance produces measurable benefits. As Zambia continues implementing its National Health Strategic Plan and advancing the Lusaka Agenda, cooperation with committed partners will remain important. The ultimate priority is to ensure that mothers and children across the country have better access to quality healthcare and that every investment contributes to a healthier, stronger and more prosperous nation.