Zambia, US Finalise $1.5 Billion Health Deal
Zambia, US Finalise $1.5 Billion Health Deal
By Ellen Hambuba
Health Minister, ROMA CHILENGI, says Zambia and the United States have finalised negotiations on a five-year health agreement worth 1.5 billion dollars.
Professor CHILENGI says Zambia is now satisfied with the revised Memorandum of Understanding and is ready to sign the agreement, which he expects could be concluded this week.
Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview programme, Professor CHILENGI said the agreement followed several months of negotiations over a number of provisions contained in the initial draft.
He said some of the concerns raised by Zambia related to health data, specimen sharing, intellectual property and benefit sharing.
Professor CHILENGI explained that the original agreement required Zambia to share certain specimens collected through the country’s disease surveillance system with the United States.
He said Zambia successfully negotiated the removal of that requirement, meaning no specimens will leave the country under the agreement.
Professor CHILENGI said Zambia also sought clarity on intellectual property and benefit sharing in cases where research involving specimens or other health resources leads to the development of medicines or vaccines.
He said Zambia further pushed for capacity building and the exchange of skills between Zambian and American scientists to ensure the partnership benefits both countries.
Professor CHILENGI said the revised agreement has addressed the concerns raised by Zambia, paving the way for its signing.
He said the United States will provide 1.5 billion dollars over five years, with annual allocations expected to decrease progressively.
Professor CHILENGI said Zambia will, in turn, increase its own commitment to health spending to ensure that gains made through US support are sustained.