• The US will cut $50 million in health aid to Zambia due to systemic theft of donated medicines.
• US Ambassador Michael Gonzales highlighted inadequate government response to drug thefts.
• The cuts are separate from broader reviews of foreign aid under the Trump administration.

The United States has decided to cut $50 million in annual health aid to Zambia, citing the government's failure to address systemic theft of donated drugs intended for free distribution to the vulnerable population. According to US Ambassador Michael Gonzales, this decision follows the discovery that essential medicines meant for treating conditions like malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis were being sold illegally by pharmacies across the country. Gonzales emphasized, “We can no longer justify to the American taxpayer continuing to provide such massive levels of assistance when the Zambian government will not take the necessary measures to protect this American investment,” according to IndiaTimes and BBC.

Investigations conducted between 2021 and 2023 revealed that approximately 95% of pharmacies surveyed were found to be involved in selling stolen medicines. Gonzales remarked that the response from Zambia’s law enforcement has been disappointing, focusing primarily on low-level actors rather than pursuing the masterminds behind these operations. He stated, “Instead of investigating supply sources, there has been minimal response,” highlighting the need for high-level accountability, according to AfricaNews and AllAfrica.

The reduction in aid has also been attributed to the Zambian government’s insufficient action despite numerous warnings over the years. Gonzales expressed his disappointment over ongoing thefts, reiterating that the cuts would take effect in January 2026. In the interim, he indicated that the US would continue to deliver medicines to avoid stockouts, giving the Zambian government time to address the crisis effectively. The US has accounted for about one-third of public health spending in Zambia, making these cuts significant, according to Reuters and BBC.

The Zambian government has acknowledged the ongoing challenges with medicine theft and reported that it had initiated a forensic audit of the supply chain. Zambian officials have stated that measures are being taken, including the suspension of implicated individuals, but these actions have yet to assuage concerns from international partners. The health ministry emphasized that currently, there is no immediate risk of shortages of essential medicines, including antiretrovirals and antimalarials, despite the ongoing issues, according to AllAfrica and Reuters.