You are currently viewing Zambia seeks US Foundation for US$20 million health investment 
Zambian presidential candidate for the opposition party United Party for National Development (UPND) Hakainde Hichilema gives a press conference at his residence, in Lusaka on August 11, 2021. - The UPND, the main rival to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), is eager to tap into mounting disillusionment in the city's poorest neighbourhoods, where dissent has grown since the last 2016 poll. (Photo by Patrick Meinhardt / AFP)

Zambia seeks US Foundation for US$20 million health investment 

President Hakainde Hichilema has directed the Ministry of Health to expedite the process of engaging the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (STBF) over the proposed US$20 million investment in the health sector. 

President Hichilema said once the funding is approved by the foundation it will go a long way in supplementing government efforts of taking healthcare services closer to the people. 

The Head of State encouraged Minister of Health Elijah Muchima and officials from the Ministry of Health to address all bottlenecks regarding the possible funding by the foundation for the benefit of ordinary Zambians..

President Hichilema said availing necessary information required by the foundation will quicken the process of decision making by the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation.

ZANIS reports that President Hichilema said this when Vice President of the Global Programmes at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Senait Fisseha paid a courtesy to him at the State House.

President Hichilema said he was happy that the foundation has decided to partner with the Zambian government in the area of health. 

He observed that the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation shares the same mandate with the government of providing quality healthcare services.

President Hichilema explained that the main mandate of the government is to provide improved primary health services to the Zambian people. 

Mr Hichilema said he was pleased that the foundation settled for Zambia. 

Meanwhile President Hichilema has thanked his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame for endorsing him to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation.

Earlier, Vice President of the Global Programmes at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Senait Fisseha informed President Hichilema that the foundation opted to settle for Zambia after receiving strong recommendations from President Kagame. 

Professor Fisseha said the foundation targets countries that have Presidents with proven leadership credentials.

She indicated that the foundation is happy to work and partner with President Hichilema because of his proven leadership.

Prof Fisseha explained that the coming of the foundation to Zambia is to work with the government in improving healthcare services.  

And Minister of Health Elijah Muchima said once the US$20 million proposal is approved for funding, over 16 thousand households will benefit from improved quality healthcare. 

Mr Muchima said he was happy that the engagement between the foundation and the Ministry of Health has resulted in the foundation showing interest to invest in Zambia. 

He expressed optimism that the support from the foundation will increase access to affordable healthcare.

Mr Muchima revealed that the proposed US$20 million submitted to the foundation covers health equipment and diagnostic treatments

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