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The Medical for Quality Healthcare in Zambia (MQHZ) has expressed concern over government’s failure to meet the 15 percent Abuja Declaration target for health sector financing.
MQHZ Director General, Dr. Quincy Mwabu, said that although the allocation to health had risen to 12 percent of the 2026 national budget, it still fell short of the 15 percent benchmark.
Mwabu told Zambia Monitor in an interview that the increase demonstrated government’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of citizens, but that more needed to be done.
“Despite this increase, MQHZ believes that the health sector allocation should be at least 15 percent of the national budget, as recommended by the Abuja Declaration. This would enable the sector to address the myriad of challenges it faces, including inadequate funding, inefficient resource allocation, and poor infrastructure,” he stated.
He expressed concern that with the current allocation, the sector may struggle to fully address the healthcare needs of the population, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Mwabu, however, welcomed the government’s allocation of K6.4 billion for drugs and medical supplies, K1.7 billion for health infrastructure development, and K953 million for medical equipment.
He said these allocations were critical to ensuring health facilities have the resources needed to provide quality services.
Additionally, the plan to recruit 2,500 new health workers in 2026 was described as a step in the right direction to address shortages in healthcare personnel.
“We commend the government for catering to the funding gap left by the withdrawal of USAID funding.
However, we emphasize the need for sustained investment in the health sector to ensure the continuity of essential health services,” Mwabu said.
He urged the government to prioritize health infrastructure, human resources, and emergency preparedness, noting that upgrading facilities and recruiting more doctors, nurses, and other critical staff would strengthen healthcare delivery in rural areas.
Mwabu also stressed the importance of continued funding for reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health programs, including family planning, maternal care, and immunization, to reduce morbidity and mortality rates.
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