US cuts Zambia health aid over drug theft
U.S. ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales said the decision was not connected to a wider foreign aid review.
The United States has announced it will cut 50 million dollars (Sh 6.5 billion) in annual health aid to Zambia, citing continued theft of life-saving medicines and supplies meant to be given freely to the public.
In a statement, U.S. ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales said the decision was not connected to a wider foreign aid review being conducted by President Donald Trump's administration.
"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, noting that some of the stolen items included antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV.
Zambia’s health ministry responded by acknowledging the concerns raised by the ambassador and described the theft of medical supplies as a persistent problem that began before 2021.
The ministry said President Hakainde Hichilema ordered an independent forensic audit of the country’s entire medical supply chain after being alerted to the problem.
Officials found to be involved in the theft have been removed from their positions, suspended, or arrested, and are expected to appear in court, according to the health ministry.
"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," the statement said.
Gonzales said he had advised Washington to continue supplying essential drugs and medical products to Zambia through to January 2026 to give the government enough time to prepare a transition plan.
He added that after that period, the U.S. would still offer technical and logistics support to keep humanitarian services running and to help prevent drug resistance and the spread of diseases.
