Zambia Launches $50 Million Health Emergency Preparedness Project
The Zambian government, in collaboration with the World Bank, launched the Zambia Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience Project aimed at strengthening the country’s health system against natural disasters and disease outbreaks.
The $50 million project, launched by Acting Minister of Health Hon. Elias Mubanga, targets nationwide improvements in health service delivery and resilience, particularly in response to emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, cholera, and drought.
Minister Mubanga highlighted Zambia’s vulnerabilities to climate change, particularly droughts and flooding, which have disrupted health services and exacerbated food shortages.
In 2023/24, droughts affected 84 of Zambia’s 116 districts, impacting 6.5 million people and threatening public health. The project will focus on mitigating these risks through a multisectoral approach, addressing the root causes of health emergencies.
The project, part of a regional initiative for Eastern and Southern Africa, will benefit over 2,000 community health assistants, 75,000 community-based volunteers, and healthcare workers.
It also includes logistics and digital health systems improvements, enhancing emergency detection and response at community levels.
It will further provide new ambulances and medical equipment, and support the capacity building of health workers.
Mubanga praised the World Bank’s investment, calling it a significant step toward strengthening Zambia’s health infrastructure.
He urged health workers and community volunteers to integrate the project into existing national efforts and ensure its success in building a resilient health system capable of responding to future emergencies.
