The Ministry of Finance says budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Health will be increased in the 2020 national budget.
Speaking at the signing of ceremony of a grant of US$3 million from the Japanese government, Minister in Charge Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu says there is need to increase funding toward primary health care in Zambia.
“To this end the Zambian government has committed itself to progressively increase the budget allocation for health care services adding that the year 13 .43 percent of the budget allocation for health care services is for the primary health care needs” Dr Ng’andu said.
Dr Ng’andu added that to adequately provide for primary health care needs of the present Zambian population about 2,500 health Centre kits are required per month.
The grant is connected to the 7th Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development that will be held in Yokohama, Japan from 28th to the 30th of August, 2019 where President Edgar Lungu will be in attendance.
And Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Mr. Hidenobu Sobashima says Japan is aware of the need for essential drugs, hence his government has extended the grant assistance to Zambia.
Ambassador Sobashima said deepening sustainable and resilient society requires measures for health hence the more reason the Japanese government is determined to work with African countries to achieve universal health coverage.
The 7th Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development is the first that President Lungu will attend since he assumed office.