Publish US-Zambia health deal, demands DPP
By Adrian Mwanza
DEMOCRATIC Progressive Party (DPP) president Antonio Mwanza says Zambians deserve to know what government is committing to and has demanded the publication of the full details of the US$1.5 billion US-Zambia health deal.
In a statement, Mwanza said government should tell the nation if it had resolved the contentious provisions in the proposed US$1.5 billion five-year health agreement with the United States.
He said among the provisions included was the requirement for biological specimens to leave Zambia.
“If that is the case, publish the final agreement before signing it. Zambians have the right to know every condition, obligation, performance requirement, financing arrangement, data provision and commitment attached to this money,” Mwanza said.
He said the earlier draft reportedly contained a provision making the health agreement conditional on a separate Bilateral Compact.
Zambians objected to linking health assistance with negotiations over critical minerals.
“Let the public see the revised text and verify that for itself. There is an even bigger question, which is why does a resource-rich country with copper, cobalt, nickel, gold and emeralds have to depend so heavily on external financing for essential public services?” Mwanza said.
We have been told that the Financial Intelligence Centre recorded estimated illicit financial flows of K9.93 billion in 2022, K51.25 billion in 2023 and K85 billion in 2024 a combined K146.18 billion. Tax evasion was identified as the dominant underlying offence. These are estimated illicit financial flows. This demands serious action.”
Mwanza said his call was not to reject legitimate international cooperation but to mobilise more of Zambia’s own resources.
He said government should close tax loopholes, fight tax evasion and illicit financial flows, strengthen collection, stop corruption and theft and ensure Zambians received a fair return from their natural resources.
“We should welcome support without surrendering transparency, national interests or economic sovereignty. But Zambia must also build the capacity to finance its own development. Sixty two years of independence with all the minerals we have but still going around begging for money to finance basic needs like health and education. What a tragedy,” Mwanza said.
Zambia is expected to sign the controversial US$1.5 billion US-Zambia health deal soon after a review.
