Zambia Pushes for Health Sector Efficiency through Digitisation
The Zambian government is taking significant steps to enhance efficiency in the health sector through a comprehensive digitisation initiative.
Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati announced that the Ministry of Health is undergoing massive digitisation to improve health service delivery and prevent drug pilferage.
Addressing stakeholders in Mpika District, Minister Mutati emphasized the importance of digital tools in promoting responsible utilization of government resources and identifying individuals who steal and sell drugs.
The stakeholders are preparing for the 2025 to 2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for Muchinga Province.
Mutati highlighted the Track and Trace initiative, which monitors the movement of drugs to ensure they are dispensed to the right people.
“By employing Artificial Intelligence in the health sector, we will deliver drugs faster and reduce costs. We are digitising Zambia to ensure that drugs are monitored from the point of supply to the point of consumption,” he said.
The Minister urged attendees to plan prudently for the health sector, noting the government’s limited resources. “The 2025 to 2027 MTEF must have prudence and be accountable in the effective use of government resources,” he stressed.
Muchinga Province Health Director Dr. David Silweya supported the digitisation efforts, noting the current drought’s impact on energy resources.
“The dependence on fossil fuels has been impacted by the drought, which has resulted in reduced energy needed to serve the Zambian people. This underscores the need to adopt technology in health service delivery,” Dr. Silweya said.
Health personnel from various districts, the province, non-governmental organizations, and other partners attended the meeting, all contributing to the preparation of the MTEF for Muchinga Province.
The digitisation initiative is expected to generate confidence in the drug supply chain, ensuring that health facilities across the country receive and dispense medications efficiently and accurately.
