LUSAKA, Sept. 2 — Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said on Tuesday that the abrupt withdrawal of support to the health sector by some cooperating partners is hurtful, creating a gap that must be filled through the mobilization of domestic resources.
“These funding gaps must be closed through smarter, genuine collaboration so that no citizen is left medically vulnerable,” Hichilema said during a meeting with representatives of the Churches Health Association of Zambia, a non-governmental health provider.
While expressing disappointment over the withdrawal of support, the president said it should serve as a wake-up call for African nations to grow their economies and generate sufficient domestic resources to support their people rather than relying heavily on external assistance.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to ensure that citizens do not suffer as a result of the withdrawal of donor support.
Meanwhile, Hichilema reaffirmed his government’s determination to eradicate corruption in the health sector.
He noted that the ongoing cleanup at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency, the government agency responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of medicines to public hospitals, is part of a broader effort to identify and address the root causes of drug and medical supply shortages. (Xinhua)
