AGP Executive Report

HIV Progress in Zambia: Zambia is nearing elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission, with the rate falling from 34.4% (2005) to 6.12% (2025), and children living with HIV dropping from 187,000 to 59,000 over the same period—health officials say the hardest gap is keeping mothers and babies in care after starting treatment. Clinical Trials Regulation Boost: ZAMRA and the National Health Research Authority signed an MoU to speed up approval and monitoring of clinical trials, harmonise requirements, and strengthen participant protection through shared inspections and safety monitoring. Cancer Care Push: Zambia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cancer treatment and oncology services, including decentralising care and upgrading radiotherapy and imaging services, with new centres nearing completion. Road Safety Tragedy: Chinsali Police detained a 62-year-old motorist after a fatal accident on the Great North Road where a 10-year-old pedestrian died; the body is at Chinsali General Hospital mortuary for postmortem. Child Marriage at UN: Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Maada Bio secured UN General Assembly adoption of a resolution to mark November 27 as an International Day to end child, early and forced marriage, calling for stronger laws and enforcement. Global Health Data Privacy Warning: A US-focused report highlights gaps in health data protection beyond HIPAA, warning that sensitive information can still be shared or accessed in ways many people don’t expect.

HIV Response: Zambia is nearing elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission, with the rate falling from 34.4% (2005) to 6.12% (2025), and children living with HIV dropping from 187,000 to 59,000—leaving a narrow, hardest-to-close gap focused on antenatal enrolment, faster infant diagnosis, and keeping mothers and babies in treatment. HIV Snapshot: The Ministry of Health also reports a slight decline in people living with HIV to about 1.308 million in 2025 (from 1.311 million in 2023) and AIDS-related deaths down to 16,000 (from 66,000 in 2005). Cancer Care: Zambia reaffirms commitment to stronger oncology services, highlighting upgraded radiotherapy and imaging, and plans to decentralise cancer treatment through facilities such as Ndola and Livingstone. Clinical Research Regulation: ZAMRA and NHRA sign an MoU to speed up approval and monitoring of clinical trials, harmonise requirements, and strengthen participant protection. Hypertension Guidelines: Africa’s first comprehensive hypertension guidelines are set to boost primary care screening and treatment, including blood pressure checks for children from age five.

HIV Update: Zambia’s Ministry of Health reports 1,308,000 people living with HIV in 2025 (down from 1,311,000 in 2023), with AIDS-related deaths falling to 16,000 in 2025 from 66,000 in 2005, and mother-to-child transmission dropping to 6.12% in 2025. HIV Prevention Boost: Zambia received its first US-funded shipment of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention medicine, to be provided free to eligible groups, including women at risk. Cancer Care Push: The Ministry of Health says it is strengthening cancer treatment and oncology services, including an upgraded radiotherapy and imaging section, plus plans to decentralise care with Ndola nearing 85% completion and a Livingstone facility expected soon. Clinical Trials Regulation: ZAMRA and NHRA signed an MoU to speed up approval and monitoring of clinical trials, harmonise requirements, and improve participant protection. El Niño Warning: UNICEF warns over 162 million children across Eastern and Southern Africa face worsening drought, floods, and heat in 2026–2027, threatening nutrition, health, water, and schooling. Animal Health Risk: The Philippines imposed a temporary ban on importing FMD-susceptible animals and products from at least 23 countries, including Zambia, after lab-confirmed outbreaks. Rights Under Scrutiny: UN experts urged Zambia to release political detainees and end the post-election crackdown, citing intimidation, arrests, and treason charges. Food & Farming Pressure: Stakeholders back the “Grow Zambia” push for production and diversification, while climate-smart agriculture is flagged as key to protecting yields.

HIV Prevention Boost: Zambia has received its first US-funded shipment of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, with officials saying it will expand options for women and people at higher risk. HIV Progress Check: Zambia recorded a slight decline in people living with HIV (1.311m in 2023 to 1.308m in 2025) and continued gains in cutting mother-to-child transmission, though advanced disease and treatment interruptions remain concerns. Clinical Trials Oversight: ZAMRA and NHRA signed an MoU to speed up approval and monitoring of clinical trials, improve medicine safety, and reduce regulatory delays. El Niño Health Warning: UNICEF says over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa face rising risks from the “supersized” 2026–2027 El Niño, including malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and disrupted access to safe water and healthcare—Zambia is among the affected countries. Rights Under Scrutiny: UN experts are urging Zambia to end the post-election crackdown and release political detainees, citing intimidation, arrests, and treason charges against opposition leaders. Conservation & Community: A new push for human-wildlife coexistence highlights locally led solutions to protect livelihoods as wildlife recovers and overlaps with communities.

HIV Prevention Boost: Zambia has received its first US-funded shipment of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, with more than 200 women already starting at UTH Women and Newborn Hospital—aimed at expanding protection for people at higher risk. Measles Alert: A new global health analysis warns measles cases are rising in 2026, driven mainly by falling vaccination rates, with undernourished children and those lacking care at highest risk of severe complications. Climate & Child Health: UNICEF says over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa live in areas vulnerable to the intensifying 2026–2027 El Niño, threatening nutrition, health services, safe water, and learning—Zambia is named among the affected countries. Malaria Update (Region): Namibia reports over 122,000 malaria cases and 122 deaths so far this year, highlighting ongoing transmission and the need for stronger mosquito control. Traditional Medicine in Focus: A herbal medicine retreat is set for December in northern Zambia, promoting Indigenous plant knowledge and traditional healing practices. Rights & Health Access Risk: A UN rights expert urges Zambia to release political detainees, as reports describe intimidation and arrests after the election—raising concerns that civic unrest can disrupt access to services.

HIV Prevention Boost: Zambia has received its first US-funded shipment of lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, with over 200 women already receiving it at UTH Women and Newborn Hospital. Climate & Child Health Alert: UNICEF warns that more than 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa are at risk from intensifying 2026–2027 El Niño, threatening nutrition, health services, safe water and learning—Zambia is named among the affected countries. Malaria Update (Regional): Namibia reports over 122,000 malaria cases and 122 deaths since the start of the year, and is ramping up indoor residual spraying. Cancer Story (Public Awareness): A Zambian woman’s cervical cancer screening journey highlights how early detection can change outcomes even when symptoms are absent. Mining Pollution Watch: Zambia’s North-Western Council of Elders urges monitoring of mining spillages into rivers and testing water for contamination to protect community health. Policy & Rights Pressure: A UN special rapporteur calls for an end to the criminalisation of political dissent in Zambia and urges release of political detainees. Health Diplomacy: Ukraine’s Zelensky congratulates President Hichilema and invites him to visit, signalling continued diplomatic ties.

TB Care Boost: CIDRZ, with US support, handed over TB commodities and refurbished labs to Zambia’s Ministry of Health on the Copperbelt, including a refrigerated centrifuge for NHRTI (ZMW300,000) and a renovated TB laboratory at Kitwe Teaching Hospital (ZMW184,000), as part of a wider ZMW10m-plus package across eight provinces. Maternal Health Access: A report highlights young mothers in rural areas travelling over 100km to Karanda Mission Hospital for guaranteed maternity care, where a Mothers’ Waiting Shelter provides prenatal monitoring and rapid triage when labour starts. Health System Capacity: Tanzania’s Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute says it is expanding specialist and super-specialist services, including AI-assisted brain surgery and online booking, to position the country as a regional hub ahead of AFCON 2027. Roads to Care: Transaid launched its 2026 Christmas Appeal to improve road safety and access to essential healthcare across sub-Saharan Africa, including Zambia, through driver training and community transport support. Women’s Health Support: Zambia-linked Son Sewers is taking part in a Sew-A-Thon to raise funds for reusable menstrual health supplies, helping keep girls in school.

TB Response Boost: CIDRZ handed over TB commodities and a refurbished laboratory to Zambia’s Ministry of Health on the Copperbelt, including a refrigerated centrifuge for NHRTI and a renovated TB lab at Kitwe Teaching Hospital, as part of a US-funded package to strengthen diagnosis and treatment. Health System & Policy Focus: President Hakainde Hichilema pledged to scale up investment in education and skills development and the health sector under his renewed mandate, pointing to gains like increased school re-entry and renewed empowerment for women and young people. Regional Unity & Economic Freedom: Kenya’s President William Ruto urged Zambia’s leadership to keep political competition from dividing the nation, stressing that elections should decide who governs—not who belongs—and calling for Africa to move from political to economic freedom. US-Zambia Health System Self-Reliance: US Assistant Secretary Frank Garcia Jr. arrived in Lusaka for talks tied to “trade over aid,” including expanding trade and investment and increasing Zambia’s health system self-reliance. Development With a Health Angle: Transaid launched its 2026 Christmas Appeal to improve road safety and access to essential healthcare across Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia, including training drivers and supporting community transport solutions. Lab Safety Capacity: CIDRZ also ran biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment training to help Zambia’s laboratory workforce manage biological risks as diagnostic capacity grows.

US-Zambia Health & Trade Talks: President Hakainde Hichilema met US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia Jr., saying Zambia values cooperation across trade, investment, health, education and development as Washington pushes a “trade over aid” agenda. Laboratory Safety Upgrade: CIDRZ trained Zambian lab professionals on biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment to keep pace with the country’s growing diagnostic capacity. HIV Funding Data Privacy Row (Region Watch): Namibia rejected a US proposal over health data and specimen-sharing, citing privacy and sovereignty—an issue that could shape how HIV support is structured across the region. Scam Alert for Job Seekers: Zambia Correctional Service warned the public about fake recruitment adverts and messages asking for money or personal details, urging people to use only official channels. Women, Power & Health-Linked Outcomes: A Zambia-focused study suggests negotiation skills training for young girls can improve long-term education and reduce early marriage—supporting healthier life pathways. Agroecology for Nutrition: A Zambia delegation visited natural farming fields in India to learn agroecological, climate-resilient methods that could help Zambia fight malnutrition while protecting biodiversity. Creation & Clean Water Call: Archbishop Martins urged governments and communities to protect water sources, improve sanitation and denounce pollution as part of Season of Creation 2026.

Global Health Governance: Public Citizen and Partners in Health say the U.S. has kept details of new bilateral health agreements secret, filing a lawsuit after Freedom of Information requests for memoranda of understanding were not met. Tobacco & Public Health: A WHO report says Kenya exported about Sh9.1bn worth of cigarettes in 2024 and ranks Kenya among Africa’s top tobacco-leaf producers, even as health risks deepen. Zambia Health Systems: CIDRZ trained laboratory staff on biosafety and biosecurity risk assessment to keep pace with Zambia’s growing diagnostic capacity. Health Workforce & Safety: Zambia Correctional Service warns the public about fake recruitment ads and scams that demand money, urging job seekers to use only official channels. Access to Care & Youth Health: RX Radio’s expansion plans highlight a child-led model that supports paediatric patients through hospital radio programming. Politics & Rights: Zambia’s detained opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, raising concerns about political space and treatment of dissent. Tech for Tourism: Zambia’s tourism push leans on technology and storytelling, including a drone light show celebrating Zambia–China ties.

Treason Charges: Zambia’s detained opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been formally charged with treason, deepening fears over how authorities handle dissent as he and running mate Makebi Zulu remain in custody. Maternal Health & Access: Kanyama Level One Hospital in Lusaka has recorded the highest number of deliveries ever, highlighting pressure on maternity services and the need for stronger support for frontline care. HIV Prevention Push: Zambia is scaling up twice-yearly PrEP injections, aiming to strengthen protection for people at higher risk and improve long-term prevention coverage. Cancer Care Closer to Patients: A new prostate care option is bringing treatment nearer to patients, a sign of expanding urology services and earlier access. Health Funding & Systems: Zambia’s external debt-service is projected to fall to about US$900m from 2026 after restructuring, freeing fiscal space for priority sectors including health. Contraception Research: A study on modern contraceptive use among sexually active adolescent girls and young women in high HIV-prevalence Southern African countries points to key determinants that can guide better programming. Public Health in the Field: Environmental health professionals are urged to focus on preventing outbreaks before they start, with calls for practical, locally scalable solutions. Road Safety & Trauma: A Rufunsa crash killed a father and son and left other passengers injured, underscoring the need for emergency response readiness and safer transport.

Treason Charge in Lusaka: Zambia’s detained opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been formally charged with treason, deepening fears over how authorities treat political dissent as he and running mate Makebi Zulu remain in custody. Public Health Funding Shock: A new report says Trump-era moves froze and reshaped global health funding, with bilateral agreements now driving HIV, TB, malaria and maternal health support—while details remain contested. HIV Prevention Push: Zambia is scaling up twice-yearly PrEP injections, aiming to strengthen HIV prevention access. Maternal & Youth Family Planning Research: New analysis focuses on modern contraceptive use among sexually active adolescent girls and young women in high HIV prevalence Southern African countries, highlighting determinants that affect uptake. Debt Relief for Health Space: Zambia’s external debt-service is projected to fall to about US$900m from 2026, freeing fiscal room for sectors including health. First Lady on Public Health: Zambia’s First Lady is calling for stronger public health action, urging prevention and community-level engagement. Road Safety Tragedies: Fatal crashes in Rufunsa and Mchinji have killed multiple people, underscoring ongoing injury and emergency care needs. Climate & Food Risks: Zambia’s rainfall outlook warns of drier-than-normal conditions in parts of the country, raising health risks linked to food insecurity and water stress.

Health Funding Accountability: Malawi’s health sector is still short of the Abuja Declaration target, with analysis pointing to K646bn denied over five years—showing up in broken CT scanners, idle ambulances and cancelled surgeries. Maternal & Newborn Care: Lusaka’s Kanyama Level One Hospital has set a delivery record, handling up to 35–50 births daily, and received over K300,000 in neonatal equipment to reduce referrals and manage complications on site. Road Safety & Injury Burden: A bus-truck crash on the Great East Road in Rufunsa killed four and left 36 injured, with victims taken to Mpanshya Mission Hospital. Zambia Economy & Health Costs: Zambia’s August inflation eased to 6.2% (from 6.5%), with health inflation reported at 9.0%, offering some relief to household budgets. Debt Relief for Social Spending: Zambia’s external debt-service is projected to fall to about US$900m from 2026, freeing resources for education, health, agriculture and social protection. HIV Prevention Scale-Up: Zambia is scaling up twice-yearly PrEP injections to expand protection. Climate & Health Risks: Zambia’s 2026/27 rainfall forecast flags higher drought risk in parts of the country, raising concerns for water, food and related health impacts.

Hospital Care in Lusaka: Kanyama Level One Hospital says it has delivered the most babies in Zambia, recording 35–50 births daily and up to 800 patients on busy days, after receiving over K300,000 in neonatal equipment from Access to Health Zambia to reduce referrals and strengthen care for mothers and newborns. Maternal & Child Health Research: A new study examines modern contraceptive use among sexually active adolescent girls and young women in high-HIV-prevalence Southern African countries, highlighting drivers of unintended pregnancy and unmet contraception needs. Road Safety Tragedies: Police report a bus-truck crash on the Great East Road in Rufunsa killed four and injured 36, with preliminary findings pointing to a truck moving into the opposite lane; separately, a Mchinji crash after a tyre burst killed four. Public Health Systems: Zambia scales up twice-yearly PrEP injections, while digital microplanning is highlighted as a way to reach vulnerable groups for better outbreak response. Economy & Health Spending: Zambia’s annual external debt-service is projected to fall to about US$900m from 2026, freeing resources for sectors including health, as inflation eases to 6.2% in August. Community Health Access: A new prostate care option is reported as coming closer to patients, alongside a urology camp planned for September 3–6. Deaths in Custody: A 26-year-old football referee died in Kazungula police custody after being detained over alleged theft complaints; investigations are ongoing.

Debt Relief for Health Budgets: Zambia’s annual external debt-service is projected to drop to about US$900m from 2026, down from an estimated US$2.6bn without restructuring—freeing fiscal space for education, health, agriculture and social protection. Inflation Eases: August inflation slowed to 6.2% (from 6.5% in July), with food inflation at 6.0% and health inflation at 9.0%, offering some relief to household costs. Maternal Care Boost in Lusaka: Kanyama Level One Hospital recorded the highest number of deliveries in Zambia, with 35–50 births daily, and received neonatal equipment worth over K300,000 to reduce referrals and improve care. Road Safety and Injuries: A bus-truck crash in Rufunsa killed 4 and injured 36; police say the truck moved into the opposite lane to avoid a stationary vehicle. Contraception Research Focus: New analysis examines modern contraceptive use and its determinants among sexually active adolescent girls and young women in high-HIV-prevalence Southern African countries. Urology Access Campaign: A four-day urology camp (Sept 3–6) is set to offer specialist prostate and urinary care at lower cost, including minimally invasive treatment options. Community Health Equipment Handover: Access to Health Zambia donated neonatal equipment to strengthen on-site management of mothers and newborns in Kanyama.

Debt Relief for Health Spending: Zambia’s annual external debt-service is projected to drop to about US$900 million from 2026 after restructuring, easing pressure on government finances and freeing resources for sectors including health. Inflation Eases: ZamStats reports August inflation slowed to 6.2% (from 6.5% in July), with food inflation at 6.0% and health inflation at 9.0%, offering some relief to households. Maternal Care Boost in Lusaka: Kanyama Level One Hospital recorded the highest number of deliveries in Zambia, and new neonatal equipment worth over K300,000 is set to reduce referrals and strengthen care for mothers and newborns. Road Safety Tragedy: A bus-truck crash on the Great East Road in Rufunsa killed four and injured 36, with police citing a lane change to avoid a stationary vehicle. Urology Access Plan: A four-day urology camp in Tanzania (Sept 3–6) will offer specialist prostate and urinary care, including newer minimally invasive options. Early Outbreak Detection: A report highlights how frontline Zambia health workers used mobile-guided primary care data to spot cholera patterns early—before lab confirmation.