Health windfall…as Govt wins back Swedish support
Published On May 28, 2015 » 1556 Views» By Administrator Times » HOME SLIDE SHOW, SHOWCASE
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.Mukwita

.Mukwita

By JAMES KUNDA –

SWEDEN has resumed financial support to Zambia’s health sector with a capital boost of about K331 million (400 million Swedish Kroners) over a period of four years from 2015 to 2019.
The move ends a six-year aid freeze imposed by the Scandinavian country in 2009 after about K431 million (500 million Kroners) was allegedly misappropriated by Ministry of Health officials.
At a recent African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, President Edgar Lungu met with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven to discuss further corporation and possible state visits to enhance ties between the two countries.
According to a statement released yesterday by Zambia’s Deputy Ambassador to Sweden Anthony Mukwita, the fresh capital injection is aimed at funding projects to increase access to reproductive, maternal, neo-natal, child and adolescent health.
Mr Mukwita said under the agreement, Zambia would receive an initial K57.1 million (69 million Swedish Kroners) for programmes aimed at fighting infant and maternal mortality, among other reproductive health challenges.
“The assistance from the Swedish government is being extended to Zambia jointly with the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom.
“The money will compliment well with existing Zambian health funded projects and reduce mortality rates among mothers and children significantly,” Mr Mukwita said.
Mr Mukwita said Sweden was currently reviewing various assessments to ensure that the aid works well for both Zambia and the Nordic State as a key partner.
He said a team of Swedish government officials would soon travel to Lusaka for a discussion with the relevant ministries on how the funding process would be administered.
“The release of this huge chunk of money for health is a clear show of confidence that on President Lungu’s watch; tax-payers money, local or aid related, shall not be misapplied,” added Mr Mukwita.

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