Resident Doctors Warn of Health Crisis Over 2026 Budget Allocation
The Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ) has expressed concern over the Government’s decision to allocate 10.3 percent of the 2026 National Budget to the health sector, warning that the figure marks a step backwards from the 10.7 percent set aside in 2025.
RDAZ President, Dr Paul Chibwe, said the reduction undermines Zambia’s commitment to the Abuja Declaration, which requires African countries to dedicate at least 15 percent of their annual budgets to health.
“Instead of moving closer to the Abuja benchmark, the country is sliding backwards. This signals a worrying lack of urgency in addressing Zambia’s pressing health needs,” Dr Chibwe said.
The Association highlighted that the current allocation makes it impossible to achieve the National Health Strategic Plan target of recruiting 26,081 additional health workers by 2026. Persistent shortages of doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and other professionals continue to overstretch health facilities, it warned.
RDAZ further called on Parliament to safeguard and advocate for an upward adjustment to the allocation, stressing that recent cuts in external funding had left the health system increasingly vulnerable.
The Association also proposed that a fixed percentage of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) be legally earmarked for health, to ensure predictable and equitable financing across constituencies.
Dr Chibwe urged Government and Parliament to prioritise investments in health workforce recruitment, essential medicines, diagnostics, equipment and mental health services.
“Health is not an expense but an investment in productivity, dignity and national survival. The Zambian people cannot afford another year of health underfunding,” he said.
