AGP Executive Report

Cholera Outbreak: Zambia has recorded 966 cases and 25 deaths, with 43 new cases in the latest 24 hours. Lusaka has the most cases, and 46 patients remain in hospital as response efforts intensify. Medicine Supply: A forensic audit found K1.4 billion in ZAMMSA contracts awarded despite audit objections, thousands of shipments missing from its system and millions of medicine units unverified. The Health Ministry says investigations and an agency overhaul are under way. Advanced Care: UTH has performed Zambia’s first cochlear implant surgery, a milestone that could lay the groundwork for a national programme. Health Workforce: Zambia has been removed from WHO’s health workforce red list following a recruitment drive, and the government has signed a five-year health agreement with the United States. The Health Ministry has also redeployed 123 officers in a headquarters restructuring.

Advanced Care: Zambia’s first cochlear implant surgery was performed at UTH on a 20-year-old woman, a milestone that could launch a local implant programme and reduce referrals abroad. Health Workforce: The Health Ministry is redeploying 123 headquarters staff to their substantive stations, saying the move will align staffing with approved posts and support services across the country. Zambia’s removal from the WHO health workforce red list also opens the way for health workers to seek jobs abroad. HIV Prevention: A digitised risk-screening tool is being reviewed after a pilot in 35 Lusaka Province facilities, with the aim of helping health workers identify people who could benefit from prevention services. Health Funding: Zambia and the US have signed a five-year health cooperation agreement covering HIV, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease surveillance; the pact is separate from minerals negotiations. Disease Watch: Zambia recorded 55 new cholera cases and one death, while the World Bank announced $13 million to strengthen Ebola preparedness and response in 11 African countries.

US Health Pact: Zambia and the United States have signed a five-year health cooperation agreement covering HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease surveillance, alongside a commitment to boost domestic health spending. Hearing Care: UTH has performed Zambia’s first cochlear implant, on a 20-year-old woman, opening the way for a local implant programme with support from Czech specialists. Cholera Alert: The country recorded 55 new cases and one death in 24 hours, bringing the outbreak total to 874; some cholera strains are reportedly resisting antibiotics. Frontline Services: The Health Ministry is redeploying 123 headquarters staff to their substantive stations, aiming to reinforce facilities and decentralised services. HIV Prevention: A digital risk-screening tool is being reviewed after a pilot at 35 Lusaka Province facilities, to help identify people who could benefit from prevention services. Zambia’s removal from the WHO health workforce red list also opens new opportunities for health workers seeking jobs abroad.

US–Zambia Health Pact: The countries have signed a five-year, $2.49 billion health partnership for HIV, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease surveillance. The plan includes recruiting 40,000 health workers; separate data-sharing terms were agreed after contentious negotiations. Health Ministry Reshuffle: Zambia is redeploying 123 headquarters staff to their substantive stations, saying the move will address staffing gaps and strengthen frontline services. The ministry will also review qualifications for remaining headquarters roles. Cholera Alert: Zambia recorded 55 new cases and one death, while health officials say some cholera strains are no longer responding to antibiotics. Workforce Update: WHO has removed Zambia from its health-worker recruitment safeguards list following improvements in staffing and health-service coverage. HIV Prevention: A digital risk-screening tool is being piloted at 35 Lusaka Province facilities to help identify people who could benefit from HIV prevention and link them to care.

Cholera Alert: Zambia recorded 55 new cases and one death in 24 hours, bringing the outbreak total to 874 cases and 23 deaths by October 13. Lusaka has reported the most cases, and 74 patients remain hospitalised. Health Staffing: The Ministry of Health is redeploying 123 headquarters officers to their substantive stations, aiming to fill operational gaps and strengthen frontline services. It will also review staff qualifications. HIV Prevention: CIDRZ and the Health Ministry are assessing a digital risk-screening tool piloted at 35 Lusaka Province facilities to help identify clients who may benefit from prevention services. Health Workforce: Zambia’s removal from the WHO’s health workforce red list follows recruitment of more than 18,000 health workers since 2021, opening the way for international recruitment. A five-year US health partnership is also expected to support further recruitment and disease programmes.

Health Workforce: The Ministry of Health has redirected 123 headquarters staff to their regular posts and will assess whether staff in remaining roles have the required qualifications. The changes follow the dismissal of all ZAMMSA staff; the medicines agency has advertised eight senior vacancies. Cholera: Zambia recorded 55 new cases and one death in 24 hours, bringing the outbreak total to 874 cases and 23 deaths. Seventy-four patients are in hospital. Health System: Zambia’s removal from the WHO health workforce red list follows recruitment of more than 18,000 health workers since 2021. A new five-year US health partnership is also expected to support further recruitment and medicines for HIV, TB and malaria. Climate and Health: Health Minister Roma Chilengi says 2027 planning must prepare for El Niño-related floods and droughts, with climate data already being linked to malaria and diarrhoea trends to help health services prepare.

Cholera: Zambia recorded 55 new cases and one death in 24 hours, bringing the outbreak toll to 874 cases and 23 deaths. Lusaka and Chibombo account for most cases, with 74 patients in hospital. Health Workforce: The WHO has removed Zambia from its health-worker safeguards red list after recruitment and service-coverage gains. A five-year US health pact worth US$2.49 billion is set to support recruitment of 40,000 health workers and supplies of HIV, TB and malaria medicines. Medical Supplies: ZAMMSA has advertised eight senior posts after the agency’s workforce was dismissed, as the government begins rebuilding the institution. Climate and Health: Health Minister Roma Chilengi says 2027 planning must prepare for El Niño-related floods and droughts, using climate data to anticipate malaria and diarrhoeal disease risks.

Health Workforce: WHO has removed Zambia from its health-worker safeguards red list after revising its criteria. The change follows years of recruitment, but staff shortages remain and removal may ease overseas hiring, making retention vital. Climate and Health: Health Minister Roma Chilengi says 2027 health planning must prepare for El Niño-related floods and droughts. Zambia is linking climate data with malaria and childhood diarrhoea trends to improve early warnings. US Health Partnership: Zambia and the US have signed a five-year health pact, with the disputed patient-data and specimen-sharing clauses dropped. The US will provide about $1.5 billion for programmes including HIV, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, and disease surveillance. Cholera: Recent reports cite 63 new suspected cases and a death toll of 16; the Health Ministry has also warned that some cholera strains are no longer responding to antibiotics. Nurses’ Families: A global nurse-led charity supporting orphaned daughters of nurses includes Zambia in its education and mentorship programme.

Nurse Support: A 20-year mentorship and funding scheme has helped more than 500 orphaned daughters of nurses stay in school. Zambia is among four countries currently supported. Climate & Health: Health Minister Roma Chilengi says 2027 planning must account for El Niño-driven floods and droughts, and strengthen early warnings linking climate patterns with malaria and diarrhoeal disease. Health Funding: Zambia and the US have signed a five-year health partnership, with the patient-data and specimen-sharing clauses removed. The deal includes a US commitment of about $1.5 billion; resident doctors say recruitment under the agreement should prioritise health workers already in the system. Cholera Watch: The Health Ministry warns some cholera strains are no longer responding to antibiotics, as Zambia reports 63 new suspected cases.

US Health Pact: Zambia and the United States have signed a five-year agreement worth $2.49 billion combined, with $1.5 billion from the US and $975 million in planned Zambian spending. The health deal was separated from minerals negotiations, and officials say clauses on sharing patient data and biological specimens were removed. Health Workforce: The pact includes plans to recruit 40,000 health workers, including 15,000 frontline staff. The Resident Doctors Association says recruitment should prioritise workers already in the system and follow a needs assessment. Cholera: The outbreak has claimed 16 lives, while the Health Ministry warns that some cholera strains are no longer responding to antibiotics. HIV Care: Northern Province reports 97% viral suppression, while a new CIDRZ-Ministry of Health initiative aims to bring advanced HIV care closer to patients in Western Province.

Cross-Border Care: Patients from Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland North are travelling to Zambia for affordable treatment as local hospitals struggle with funding, medicines and referral services. Lusaka Wellbeing: A CBD clean-up is improving street conditions, with potential benefits for air quality, food safety and people’s daily stress. US Health Pact: Zambia and the United States have signed a five-year partnership worth about $2.49 billion combined, including US funding and a Zambian spending commitment. Officials say contested specimen-sharing and patient-data clauses were removed; how the deal will work in practice remains important. Health Workforce: The Resident Doctors Association says recruitment plans should prioritise workers already in the system and follow a needs assessment. Disease Response: Health officials warn some cholera strains are no longer responding to antibiotics, underscoring the need for stronger prevention and treatment. Zambia is also among the countries hosting practical placements in a new Africa CDC clinical-research training programme.

US Health Partnership: Zambia and the United States have signed a five-year health pact, with $1.5 billion in planned US assistance and $975 million in additional Zambian spending. The deal supports HIV, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, disease surveillance and plans to recruit 40,000 health workers. Officials say clauses requiring the transfer of patient records and biological samples were removed; details of other data arrangements remain unclear. Workforce: The Resident Doctors Association says recruitment should follow a needs assessment and prioritize health workers already in the system, including promotions that could fill vacancies. Cholera: Health officials warn some strains are no longer responding to antibiotics. By October 8, Zambia had recorded 604 suspected cases, 126 confirmed cases and 16 deaths; officials say antibiotics are not needed for every cholera patient. HIV: Northern Province reports 97% viral suppression among an estimated 67,334 people living with HIV.

Health Workforce: Zambia’s newly signed five-year US health pact is worth $2.49 billion in combined commitments and is expected to support 40,000 health jobs. The Resident Doctors Association says recruitment should prioritize workers already in the system and follow a needs assessment. Cholera: Health officials warn some strains are no longer responding to antibiotics. Zambia has recorded 604 suspected cases, 126 confirmed cases and 16 deaths, with officials cautioning that not every patient needs antibiotics. HIV: Northern Province reports 97% viral suppression among an estimated 67,334 people living with HIV. Regional Preparedness: Africa CDC is urging vigilance as Ebola cases reach 8,750 and Kenya responds to an imported case, underscoring the need for strong cross-border surveillance.

Regional Preparedness: Africa CDC is urging vigilance as confirmed Ebola cases reach 8,750 and Kenya responds to an imported case with contact tracing. Cholera Alert: Zambia has recorded 604 suspected cases, 126 confirmed and 16 deaths; health officials say some strains are no longer responding to antibiotics. US Health Pact: Zambia and the United States have signed a five-year, $2.49 billion agreement, combining $1.52 billion in planned US support with $975 million in Zambian spending. Officials say clauses requiring specimen sharing and access to identifiable patient data were removed; the pact is separate from minerals negotiations and is expected to support 40,000 health workers. HIV Care: Northern Province reports 97% viral suppression, with 62,781 of an estimated 67,334 people living with HIV reaching that milestone.

US Health Pact: Zambia and the United States have signed a five-year health agreement valued at $2.49 billion, including $1.52 billion in planned US assistance and $975 million in additional Zambian spending. Health Minister Roma Chilengi says it will support hiring 40,000 health workers. Officials say clauses requiring specimen transfers and identifiable patient data were removed, though limited programme-monitoring data may still be shared. Critical-minerals talks are separate. Cholera Alert: Zambia has recorded 604 suspected cases, 126 confirmed infections and 16 deaths. Lusaka health officials warn some strains are no longer responding to antibiotics, while the public health institute says antibiotics are not needed for every patient. HIV Care: Northern Province reports 97% viral suppression among an estimated 67,334 people living with HIV, with 62,781 reaching suppression.

U.S. Health Deal: Zambia and the United States signed a five-year, $2.49 billion health pact, with $1.52 billion planned from the U.S. and $975 million in additional Zambian health spending. Controversial specimen-sharing and personal-data terms were removed; the two governments say health information will support programme monitoring. The deal also aims to recruit 40,000 health and community workers and shift more responsibility for medicines and frontline staff to Zambia. But donor dependence remains a challenge: donors financed 46% of health spending in 2024, while government spending fell short of the Abuja target. Cholera: Zambia has recorded 604 suspected cases, 126 confirmed infections and 16 deaths in the latest figures; 46 patients remain hospitalised. HIV Care: Health workers from all 16 districts in Western Province have received training to improve screening and treatment for advanced HIV disease, which can cause preventable deaths when patients are diagnosed late.