Reported by: S. Ernest.
Date: 23rd January, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
Zambia has taken a bold step toward transforming its healthcare system with the official launch of the 2024 National Supply Chain Performance Review Meeting and Clinical and Supply Chain Governance Documents.
Held at the Mulungushi Kenneth Kaunda International Conference Centre, the event brought together senior government officials, healthcare professionals and development partners in a collaborative effort to enhance the country’s healthcare supply chain.
The Assistant Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Maxwell Kasonde, outlined pivotal initiatives aimed at addressing systemic inefficiencies in healthcare delivery.
Among the highlights were the construction of critical infrastructure projects such as the Cowboy Hub in Central Province and significant expansions in the Northwestern Province, both scheduled for completion by 2025.
The government has allocated an unprecedented ZMW 23.17 billion to the Ministry of Health in the 2025 national budget, with ZMW 4.8 billion dedicated to medicines and medical supplies.
This funding, complemented by contributions from international donors, is anticipated to greatly improve access to vital healthcare resources across the country.
To address workforce gaps, over 14,000 healthcare workers have been recruited, with plans to onboard an additional 6,000 professionals by 2025.
Kasonde emphasized the importance of efficient implementation and the need for stakeholders to maintain focus on bridging critical gaps in the healthcare system.
“The launch of these documents is a crucial milestone in improving Zambia’s healthcare supply chain. By working together, we can ensure timely, accurate, and impactful solutions to challenges within the system,” he stated.
The meeting served as a platform to assess the current state of the healthcare supply chain, identify areas for improvement, and explore innovative solutions.
Among the key priorities discussed were strengthening procurement processes, ensuring secure storage and distribution of medical supplies, and fostering local production capabilities for essential medicines.
In alignment with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision for a resilient healthcare system, the launch of five critical policy documents—including treatment guidelines, an essential medicines list, and a long-term supply chain strategy for 2024–2028—reflects a comprehensive approach to tackling healthcare challenges.
This initiative underscores the New Dawn Government commitment to advancing universal health coverage by ensuring a reliable, efficient and inclusive healthcare supply chain, setting a benchmark for progress in the region.
Ministry of Health Zambia
The Agency
