LUSAKA — Over the past four years, the Ministry of Health has recorded significant progress across multiple areas, driven by a substantial increase in government funding. Budgetary allocation to the health sector has risen from approximately 7% of the national budget in 2021 to just under 12% at present.
Officials state this increased investment has had a direct impact on service delivery. The availability of essential medicines has improved considerably, now ranging between 85% and 90% at health facilities nationwide, a sharp rise from about 35% in 2021.
A major technological modernization effort is underway in medical imaging. The Ministry has been transitioning from outdated analogue systems to digital technology. In 2025 alone, 79 digital X-ray machines and 107 ultrasound machines have been installed across the country. The diagnostic capacity has been further strengthened with the deployment of 20 CT scanners this year.
In a significant leap for specialized care, the government has procured a PET-CT scanner and a cyclotron, an advanced system used to produce radionuclides for imaging. This technology allows for precise detection of diseased tissues and will be available domestically, eliminating the need for patients to seek these services abroad.
The rollout of equipment continues to expand. The Ministry has distributed 86 portable digital X-ray units nationwide and 10 C-arm machines for real-time imaging in operating theatres. Additionally, 10 mammography machines have been procured, ensuring each province will have at least one unit for breast cancer screening.
It was nice to remove Masebo from this ministry. Otherwise these 107 mammoth fimofimo and 79 digital machines wouldn’t have been seen. They would have dissappeared to some unknown warehouse