FORMER President Edgar Lungu has advised the ruling government to keep an eye on the levels of corruption in the supply chain system of all drugs in the country, stating that no government is without fault.
Lungu said over the past few days, the country has been plunged into uncertainty following the revelations and subsequent action taken by the United States Government through its Ambassador Michael Gonzales regarding the cutting of aid to Zambia’s health sector.
Gonzales revealed that a US led investigation revealed that half of about 1900 pharmacies from 2000 targeted were selling medicine that was given to the country for free distribution by the American government which led to the eventual cut of US$50 million of aid.
Lungu said Zambia’s health sector currently faces enormous challenges in combating the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria and the decision by the U.S. Government serves as a damning indictment, a reminder that the goodwill of the cooperating partners must never be taken for granted, or abused.
“From the days of UNIP through MMD, and then to us the Patriotic Front (PF), both under the leadership of our founding father, the late President Michael Chilufya Sata, and subsequently under my leadership, we prioritised strong cooperation with the United States and other partners.”
“Through programmes such as PEPFAR and the Global Fund, we confronted the HIV/AIDS pandemic with the seriousness it deserved,” he said.
Lungu stated that the collaboration saw millions of people living with HIV gain access to lifesaving ARVs drugs that saved lives and significantly improved the quality of life for our people.
“Fellow Zambians, no government is without fault, but the key in all our efforts was to keep a keen eye on the levels of corruption in the supply chain system of all drugs, otherwise we would not have achieved the policy and implementation targets outlined,” he said.
Lungu said the shocking scale of theft and corruption, as highlighted by Ambassador Gonzales, is a slap in the face to every Zambian because it is the ordinary citizen who will now suffer due to the potential drug shortages the aid withdrawal will cause.
“As the saying goes, “If you’re not infected, you’re affected,” he said.
Lungu further claimed that President Hakainde Hichilema had consistently refused to accept responsibility for any wrongdoing but chose to blame the PF or all past administrations.
“But this is not a time for finger-pointing. Our people will suffer the consequences. The blame game helps no one. The period in question, as clearly stated by Ambassador Gonzales, spans from late 2021 to 2023 squarely under your tenure and you, good sir,” he said.
“This is not the first time we have faced a national crisis, and it will not be the last. But the power to correct this trajectory lies with us the people of Zambia.”
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba May 12, 2025
