ZAMBIA and the United States of America have signed a partnership framework for HIV/AIDS that will result in the US government giving out K1.2 trillion next year towards the AIDS fight.
And Health Minister Kapembwa Simbao has commended the US government for its continued support to the health sector even in the face of the global financial crisis in 2008 as well as Zambia’s financial mismanagement last year.
The partnership framework agreement would run from 2011 to 2015.
United States Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella signed on behalf of his government while Mr Simbao and Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane signed on behalf of the Zambian Government.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr Simbao said over the years, America had consistently increased its level of funding to the entire health sector even in difficult times.
“What is exciting is that funding from the United States government did not decrease during the global financial crisis while there was no withdrawal or suspension of funding by the United States government following the allegations of financial mismanagement in the health sector last year,” Mr Simbao said.
He said the Government would ensure that the agreed-upon measures to strengthen governance in the health sector were implemented to stop a repeat of the financial mismanagement of 2009.
Mr Simbao said the Government was committed to the fight against AIDS and commended America for its continued help.
[pullquote]“What is exciting is that funding from the United States government did not decrease during the global financial crisis while there was no withdrawal or suspension of funding by the United States government following the allegations of financial mismanagement in the health sector last year,” Mr Simbao said.[/pullquote]
The minister said the increasing number of patients due to HIV/AIDS was overwhelming the health sector as well as devastating on the country’s economy.
Speaking earlier, Dr Musokotwane said thousands of people were dying of AIDS on an annual basis.
Dr Musokotwane said Zambia was ranked seventh highest globally among the countries suffering from AIDS.
“HIV and AIDS pandemic is one of the main challenges affecting the effective delivery of health services in Zambia. The devastating effects of HIV/AIDS run across all economic and social sectors, implying that the disease is not only a health problem,” Dr Musokotwane said.
He said the partnership agreement was in line with the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP).
And Mr Storella said the funds would be for strengthening, prevention, treatment, care and support activities in the fight against AIDS.
He said AIDS was one of the greatest threats to sustainable human development and regretted that there were more than one million Zambians living with HIV.
“Zambia’s achievement of national targets as of 2009 includes testing 1,550,000 people and placing nearly 285,000 men and women on anti-retroviral therapy.
[ Times of Zambia ]
Thanks to RB for the good governance!
Who has replaced kapoko?? Manna yapona.
More gravy for MMD cronies to gorge themselves on.
#1 – Your comment is misplaced, this money will go direct to USAID funded projects and non of it will to to Kapembwa Simbao, HUMPTY DUMPTY of the Ministry of Health. The only persons that benefit from USAID are the American Companies and not you. The fight will go towards fighting HIV/AIDS, most of the funds been used in procuring ARV’s which are not manufactured in Zambia.
i seriously hope its used wisely please and not pocketed. please please please
#4. You must be in a wrong boat. Saying thanks to His excellency for Good Governance has something to do with donors. His leadership has assured Donors that there will be transparency in the utilisation of finances. Is not that a good thing? So do not talk before you engulf the meaning of the sentence. Viva MMD
There is no where it isindicated that the funds will be given to the Zambian Government not at all. There not even worried because these funds are utilised in the US itself and all that Zambia gets are merely Drugs and a few thousand dollars for local logistics and paying of Local manpower. Whether it was HUMPTY DUMPTY, KAFUPI or any other person been president America will do that because they need to protect local Jobs for Companies which manufacture drugs like Merck. That’s how gvernments with right thinking presidents operate, not our HUMPTY DUMPTY.
#6 – You need to understand how business in the western world works. Whether it is HUMPTY DUMPTY, KAFUPI or even a flog, the states will make available the market for there products, and this has nothing to do with good governance. It’s purely business my friend. Take time to understand International business, because I do.
Xmas bonus from the donors to Ministry of health guys…
When is Chipolopolo playing next game? I have missed Zambian football! Ah
it really doesn’t matter how receives the money for as long as there is accountability and transparency which will drive the money to the intended goals. i thing the rather important is to ask whether the targeted goals of this money are appropriate. is the money going towards hiv treatment and general management, or to prevention strategies, or equipment and so on.
Indalama shaisa. Abantu bala nonka after ukushilya.
While this is interesting, to read about how Zambians have reigned and given up. The money that is being stollen from the poor Zambians could help to solve a lot of their challenges. I wish we can talk about how we can arrest this bad vice.
Where are those f00ls who were talking sh!t about the USA? Now everyone has eyebrows wide open about the donation from the US.Zambians like to talk sh!t all the time, no wander there is no development and everyone including the govt waits for handouts all the time. So one in the Healthy ministry and the President want to get a bonus and all the funds will be channeled into the politicians bank accounts and pockets.