Ministry of Health has received 31 motor vehicles from Global Fund worth K 27,625,344.61 to strengthen health service delivery across the country.
Acting Minister of Health, Cornelius Mweetwa, who received on behalf of the government, handed over the vehicles to Provincial and District Health Offices.
Mr Mweetwa noted that the donated vehicles will enhance the delivery of life saving interventions, including laboratory services, malaria elimination, disease surveillance, and health insurance management among others.
He explained that the vehicles were procured with support from the Global Fund under the Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health component.
Mr Mweetwa emphasised the importance of accountability and prudent stewardship of the resources, saying the vehicles are a public trust and must be managed responsibly.
“The vehicles will improve diagnostic turnaround times, enhance quality assurance oversight, and support maintenance of critical laboratory infrastructure, among other benefits,” he said
Mr Mweetwa added that the handover is part of Zambia’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage and the objectives of the Eighth National Development Plan.
“The Global Fund’s continued partnership and support have been instrumental in strengthening Zambia’s health system,” Mr Mweetwa said.
He indicated that the vehicles have been registered, branded, insured, asset tagged, and formally assigned to their respective institutions, and are ready for immediate deployment.
Speaking at the same handover, Global Health Country Coordinating Mechanism Chairperson Professor Joshua Banda has hailed the handover of 31 vehicles to the Ministry of Health as a significant milestone in strengthening Zambia’s health system.
Prof Banda, said the vehicles, procured under the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7, will enhance service delivery across HIV, TB, Malaria, and public health surveillance programmes.
“The vehicles represent a tangible commitment to improving health outcomes for all Zambians and they will support integrated service delivery, improve efficiency, and reduce duplication,” he said.
Prof Banda added that the vehicles will be distributed to various institutions, including the National Malaria Elimination Centre, the Zambia National Public Health Institute, and the University Teaching Hospital HIV programme.
He emphasised the importance of accountability and stewardship, urging stakeholders to deploy the vehicles strategically and maintain them properly.
“The CCM will continue to work with the Ministry of Health and implementing stakeholders to ensure the assets are used effectively,” he said.
He further added that the Global Fund has invested approximately 2 Billion United States Dollars in Zambia’s health sector since 2002, leading to significant improvements in HIV, TB, and malaria programmes.
Meanwhile, Lusaka Provincial Health Director, Simulyamana Choonga has expressed gratitude to the government for the 31 vehicles handed over to the Ministry of Health.
In a vote of thanks, he said the vehicles will greatly enhance health service delivery in the province.
“We are thankful for the government’s support in strengthening our health system because the vehicles will improve our outreach services and emergency response capabilities,” he said.
Dr Choonga assured the government that the vehicles will be used efficiently and effectively, adhering to the transport policy.
“We will ensure maximum utilisation of the assets for the benefit of the people of Lusaka,” Dr Choonga said.
