Because Zambia has not addressed the “systematic theft” of donated medications and medical supplies, the United States has stated that it is reducing $50 million (£37 million) in help to the country’s health sector.
According to US ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales, the “difficult” decision was made after the Zambian government was repeatedly warned to protect essential medications intended for the most vulnerable patients in the country.
“We are no longer willing to underwrite the personal enrichment of fraudsters or the corrupt when patients go without or have to buy life-saving medications that we have provided for free,” he stated.
The government of Zambia has not yet responded.
