Zambia

US Cuts $50M in Medical Aid to Zambia Over 'Systematic Theft'

Published MAY 9 2025

Story

Above: Patients receive basic examinations at Sinozam Friendship Hospital in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province of Zambia, on March 28, 2025. Image credit: Han Xu/Contributor/Xinhua via Getty Images

The Facts

The U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales, announced that the U.S. is cutting $50 million in annual medical funding to Zambia, citing "systematic theft" of donated medicines that were intended for free distribution to the Zambian public. Cuts are scheduled to take effect starting from January 2026.
Africanews
Usembassy
A comprehensive U.S. investigation of approximately 2,000 pharmacies in Zambia between 2021 and 2023 revealed that nearly half were illegally selling medicines and medical supplies that were funded by American aid, including treatments for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
allAfrica
ABC News
The United States currently provides Zambia with $128 million annually for its health sector, funding approximately one-third of the country's public health system, according to Washington, making this reduction a significant impact on the nation's health care infrastructure.
X
Business Insider
The fraud was initially discovered in late 2021, the U.S. embassy said, with investigations revealing that most inspected pharmacies were selling stolen goods, including products provided by the U.S., the Zambian government, and the Geneva-based Global Fund.
Jacaranda FM
Barrons
In a statement, Zambia's Health Minister, Elijah Muchima, thanked the U.S. for its "generous support" but stated that the theft problem predates the current government, which took office in 2021. He added that the Zambian government was dedicated "to resolving this unfortunate issue."
ETHealthworld.com
Lusakatimes
About 64 percent of the population of copper-rich Zambia lives on less than $2.15 a day, with the debt-ridden Southern African country of 21 million people heavily reliant on foreign aid. In 2021, President Hakainde Hichilema was elected on the promise of eradicating corruption and winning back investors.
The Times of India
Openknowledge

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

The systematic theft of medical supplies represents a serious breach of trust and misuse of American taxpayer funds. Despite repeated requests for action since 2021 and intensive engagement over the past year, the Zambian government's response has been minimal and inadequate. The focus on low-level arrests rather than targeting the operation's masterminds demonstrates a lack of genuine commitment to addressing this widespread corruption.

Usembassy

Narrative B

The Zambian government has demonstrated commitment to addressing these concerns by taking concrete actions, including firing, suspending, and arresting implicated officials. A comprehensive report on this medicine theft is being finalized, but the process must respect legal procedures and due process. The government remains dedicated to resolving this unfortunate situation and maintaining crucial health care services for its citizens.