The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has voiced significant concern following the announcement by the United States Ambassador to Zambia regarding the suspension of approximately K1.4 billion in medical assistance to the nation. This decision, linked to extensive theft of medicines and the Zambian government’s insufficient response, has raised alarms within civil society.
In a statement from NGOCC Executive Director Anne Mbewe-Anamela, the organization emphasized that this suspension should not surprise the Zambian public. “For years, persistent reports of theft within the Ministry of Health have emerged. What is particularly troubling is the government’s ongoing failure to decisively address this misconduct,” the statement conveyed.
NGOCC underscored the urgent need for Zambia to enhance its internal resource mobilization and build resilience. However, they cautioned that without addressing the systemic weaknesses that facilitate the ongoing theft of essential medical supplies, donor confidence and public health outcomes will continue to decline.
The Council expressed serious concern about the potential repercussions of the aid suspension, especially for vulnerable groups. Citing findings from the Zambia Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment, NGOCC pointed out that HIV prevalence remains higher among women (11.0%) than men (8.0%) among adults aged 15 and above. They warned that the withdrawal of support could significantly disrupt the supply of life-saving HIV and TB medications, disproportionately affecting women due to their higher poverty rates and reliance on public health services.
“Women face not only threats to their own health but will also shoulder increased caregiving responsibilities as access to essential medicines diminishes,” NGOCC stated.
The organization has urged the government to take full accountability for the situation and to demonstrate a clear, actionable commitment to combating corruption. They also called on the state to promptly communicate its plans to address the critical funding gap to prevent drug shortages and potential loss of life.
