Zambia, US sign $1.5bn health deal

Zambia and the United States (US) have signed a $1.5 billion health deal which Health Minister Roma Chilengi described as a monumental and landmark decision.

The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) included amongst many other benefits to the Zambian people, the recruitment of 40,000 health staff to beef up the current levels.

US Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires Mich Coker said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) represented a transformative partnership between the US and Zambia, one built on shared commitment and mutual accountability.

Professor Chilengi said the deal was meant to be a catalyst for self-sustainability and local financing which would enable the Government to employ 40,000 health workers in the five-year period.

Prof Chilengi said the 40,000 workers would comprise 15,00 frontline staff and 25,000 community health workers.

“Forty thousand healthcare workers will be employed, 15,000 being front-liners like…