The United States government under President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of funding for international development programs, including those in Zambia, effective January 20, 2025. The move has raised concerns about the potential impact on Zambia’s health sector, which relies heavily on foreign aid to support critical programs, particularly for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) treatment.
However, Zambia’s Ministry of Health has sought to reassure the public, stating there is no immediate danger of the country running out of life-saving HIV medication. According to Dr. George Sinyangwe, the Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination, Zambia currently has a five-month supply of HIV treatment drugs in its warehouses, with an additional 14 months’ worth of stock already ordered.
In a press release issued on Saturday, Dr. Sinyangwe emphasized that continuous engagements with the U.S. government have yielded positive developments. “We have been informed that a waiver has been issued to exempt humanitarian support, including health-related programs, from the funding suspension,” he said. Discussions are ongoing to clarify the specific health programs covered under this exemption.
Importantly, the Ministry confirmed that medicines already ordered will not be affected by the pause in funding. “There should be no panic or misinformation regarding the state of affairs,” Dr. Sinyangwe urged. “Every effort will be made to ensure that there are no disruptions to HIV and TB-related services.”
The U.S. is one of Zambia’s largest health sector donors, providing significant support through initiatives like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The temporary suspension is part of a broader review of international development funding, the details of which have not been fully disclosed.
Zambian officials have pledged to keep the public informed of any new developments in real time, as they continue diplomatic efforts to mitigate the potential impact of the funding pause on the country’s health services.
Tufwile fye twasumuka…
No fear china, Russia, North Korea will love to fill the gap
Dolnald Trump is rigging His questioning that ..Where is your Humanity when you are stealing your National resources from the people you swore to serve . Independence was meant to be for our own Good governance. Would it make sense to you if Chief Chitimukulu could take the Caesars grown in His kingdom and how and give it to Chief Mpezeni to hide it for Him . Leave His own people without food expecting the Litunga to give Him “AID” Its tome this stops. ZAMTROP Should have taught us who want to Lead a lesson. Are We really Human, listen to N
.Nyirenda “Mwemakufi” its really a prayer message to guide you in your Leadership
No immediate danger but what’s your long term plan?
You want to trust this government of Liars at your own risk just prepare for the worst.You have a president who has spent entire 4 years fighting the opposition instead of working on his promises
It’s about time we found ways and means to stand on our two feet,we’ve been a developing country for over 50yrs.Good move by Trump,very patriotic and the problem was that the bigger chunk of the donations were going to personal accounts, worse off,in efforts to gain political mileage, ministers were exposing eachothers’ corrupt practices to the very people sending donations………I’m sure it felt like a waste of money to the donor.
Let’s also tighten our tax incentives to mines
So we generate income to sustain our health
Sector.let New dawn put measures in place
So our mines don’t declare a fraction of what
Of the value of their exports.
Africa we joke too much….why can’t we focus on developing our own continent instead of spending time asking for breadcrumbs from the West….Begging Bowl mentality and yet we have abundance of natural resources …..and we choose to be beggers….From Cape to Cairo…same mentality
Abudannce of natural resources is nothing without the necessary human capital and institutions to turn these into wealth generating assets.
nikulimba!!!
We have benefitted from training at home and abroad on health related programmes. What are we using them for? This to me is a timely challenge for health experts. You cannot be expensively trained and end up being a public sector bureaucrat. Awe mwebantu!
Please remove all the tax breaks you have given to the investors the country need it as a replacement for the aid money America has cancelled no debating on this matter you must do it without fail.
I doubt the UPND government have the patriotic mentality, bravery and innovative thinking to do that.
Massive job cuts will follow……..
Then….???
FWD2031
Zambia is economically poor because of incompetent, unpatriotic and corrupt leadership in the last 30 years. The country has not had leaders who are capable of translating the sectoral problems, resources and potential into wealth. What we have are leaders with colonialism mentality believing that foreign entities will develop our country.
It’s their money……..
They can choose how they spend it…….
It is up to us to accelerate development instead of tribal infighting………
The first 4 years of a democratically elected GRZ should be supported by all Zambia to accelerate development, all hands in one direction, as the Asians do in the far east……….
As long as civil society checks and balances are passed , let’s help the government develop this thing called Zambia……
Now us , from day one , we first look at tribe then complain about everything………
Lazy no good bustards………
FWD2031
If only that advice came from someone who isn’t a tribalist. From a Bemba hating Gwembe villager it’s all poop!
Why is it important to trust Trump? What formula did he use to completely defeat Covid 19?
He didn’t! Covid defeated him and he is now trying to make a comeback
Our people don’t go to Universities and Colleges to learn how to develop Medicines. They go to learn how to administer them. We need to rethink our strategies.
If you are smart enough to invent new medicines you don’t stay in Zambia for kwacha you move overseas to the first world.
Zambia is 60 yrs old, why do we still beg for aid and medicine time to support out own, Singopore is also 60 yrs old and has the top medical services and banking systems, a country with no natural resources, and we have, time for Zambia to stop being lazy, getting one hands dirty and working hard, cut half the public holidays and stop all this praying to fix things, doing is the answer.
Thanks at last, the truth has been spoken. It plain painful truth. Let us put our house (country) in order. Let us emancipate ourselves from economic slavery. Stop looting national resources into your personal pockets. Stop corruption and as Zambians let us be proud and free to give to mother Zambia, our energy, our integrity and our hearts. Let us put Zambia first. WE have all the technocrats and resources to power Zambia forward. The problem is the government systems are masters at frustrating forward thinking people.