Latest news with #healthaid
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Zambia warns envoys after US ambassador reveals 'systemic theft' of medical aid
Zambia's foreign minister has warned diplomats against interfering in the country's affairs, days after the US ambassador raised concerns about the "systematic theft" of drugs donated to the southern African state. Mulambo Haimbe said there was an "increasing tendency" by envoys to ignore diplomatic channels, and this could undermine the "spirit of mutual respect".He did not name anyone, but his comments were seen as being directed at the US ambassador to Lusaka, Michael Gonzales. Last week, Gonzales called a press conference to announce that the US was cutting $50m (£37m) of health aid to Zambia because of the theft of life-saving medications that the US had provided for patients. He added that he had decided to go public after holding more than 30 fruitless meetings with senior Zambian officials. In his response, Haimbe said that addressing the government through the media amounted to interference and was in breach of diplomatic conventions."We remain open to addressing any matters of concern through appropriate diplomatic channels," the minister added. Last week, the US embassy said it had presented its findings of the alleged corruption to Zambian officials in April last year, and had offered help to stop further theft and to bring the culprits to justice. However, no action was taken by the Zambian authorities, it Monday, Zambia's Home Affairs Minister Jacob Mwiimbu said that a forensic audit on the alleged theft had been completed and handed over to security agencies for further action. About 75 people have been arrested in a countrywide crackdown that saw more than 400 health facilities raided over the alleged scam, he said. "There will be no sacred cows in this pursuit," Mwiimbu added. Gonzales said that an inspection carried out by US officials at more than 2,000 pharmacies last year had found that most were selling drugs and medical supplies donated by the Health Minister Elijah Muchima earlier said the problem of theft predated the current government, which took office in also said several Zambian officials had been sacked following the thefts identified by the US, and that "an advanced digital stock tracking system" had been set up to monitor the supply of cut in US assistance, expected to take effect next year, would affect drugs to treat malaria, HIV and the health minister has reassured Zambians that there were sufficient stocks of all drugs so there was "no immediate risk of shortages".Gonzales said the recent US measure was separate to the foreign aid freeze announced by President Donald Trump in freeze has affected health programmes across Africa, including shipments of critical medical supplies, among them HIV March, Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema said Trump had "slapped us on both cheeks", saying it was time for his country to strengthen its treasury to procure its own US accounts for about a third of public health spending in Zambia, according to the US embassy. You may also be interested in: Bitcoin in the bush - the crypto mine in remote Zambia'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian taboo'My wife fears sex, I fear death' - impacts of the USAID freeze Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Reuters
09-05-2025
- Health
- Reuters
US to cut health aid to Zambia over 'systemic theft'
LUSAKA, May 9 (Reuters) - The United States said it would cut $50 million in annual aid to Zambia's health sector because the government had failed to stop "systemic theft" of donated medicines and medical supplies. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is finalising a broader review of its foreign aid, but the cut for Zambia is "wholly separate from that process," U.S. ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales said in a statement. "I am disappointed to share publicly today that since 2021 we have uncovered systemic theft of life-saving medicines and other products that were intended for free for the Zambian public," Gonzales said, adding medicines stolen included antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV. Zambia's health ministry responded in a statement acknowledging the U.S. ambassador's concerns and said recurrent theft of medicines was a "persistent challenge" dating back to before 2021. After he was alerted to the issue Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema commissioned an independent forensic audit of the entire medicines supply chain, the ministry said. A number of officials found to have been involved had been removed from office or suspended, while others were arrested and are set to appear in court. "We want to assure the public that Zambia currently maintains sufficient stocks of essential medicines, including antiretroviral, antimalarial, and other critical drugs, with no immediate risk of shortages," Zambia's health ministry said. Gonzales said he had recommended to Washington that the U.S. continue to procure and deliver lifesaving medicines and medical supplies to Zambia until January 2026 to provide time for the government to develop a transition plan. After January, the U.S. will still offer technical and logistics assistance to support humanitarian activities and prevent drug resistance and disease transmission, he said.
