US PLEDGES MORE SUPPORT TO ZAMBIA’S HIV, COVID-19 RESPONSE AS IT ANNOUNCES $400 MILLION IN HIV/AIDS FUNDING

By NATION REPORTER

THE United States Government has announced a US$401.6 million support towards HIV and Covid-19 management to Zambia with an additional $20.1 million (K448.9 million) supporting COVID-19 relief.

Speaking at a virtual joint press briefing, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr. Kennedy Malama recognised the US government support through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief(PEPFAR) as a critical partner of government in HIV epidemic control.

He said Zambia would remain indebted to the US government for the progress made in HIV care and support.

He said the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) support had been instrumental in Fast Tracking the response and achieving results since 2003 when there were only 3,500 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) on treatment and currently there are more than one million on treatment, thereby averting numerous deaths and improving the quality of life for those living with HIV. Dr. Malama said that for the next annual funding cycle starting in October 2021, PEPFAR will provide Zambia with USD 401.6 million, which is equivalent to about K9 billion.

And US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mr David Young said that this funding will help the National HIV response remain resilient and responsive.

The US government remains confident of the strong cooperation between the United States and the Zambian government.