Speech for the Acting Minister of Health Cornelius Mweetwa official handover of Motor Vehicles to Provincial and District Health Offices, Lusaka Monday 2nd March 2026

Salutations:
• The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health;
• Provincial and District Health Directors;
• Representatives of the Global Fund and our Cooperating Partners;
• Members of the Press;
• Distinguished Guests;
• Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning.
It is my distinct privilege, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, to preside over this important occasion marking the official handover of thirty-one (31) motor vehicles procured by the Ministry of Health with support from the Global Fund under the Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health component.
Today’s event signifies a strategic investment in strengthening the operational capacity of our health system. These vehicles are not simply assets for transport; they are enablers of service delivery, supervision, surveillance, and rapid response. They will enhance our ability to deliver life-saving interventions efficiently and equitably, particularly at provincial and district levels.
This procurement followed a rigorous and transparent process. The allocation of vehicles was informed by detailed needs assessments submitted by respective programmes and independently verified by the Global Fund’s Local Fund Agent, to ensure alignment with national priorities, value for money, and full compliance with fiduciary standards. This reflects our continued commitment to accountability and prudent stewardship of resources.
The vehicles have been strategically distributed in line with institutional mandates.
For the Laboratory Services Unit, the vehicles will strengthen the national specimen referral network, improve diagnostic turnaround times, enhance quality assurance oversight, and support maintenance of critical laboratory infrastructure. This will result in more timely and accurate diagnosis, improved clinical decision-making, and stronger surveillance for priority diseases, including antimicrobial resistance.
For the National Malaria Elimination Centre, the vehicles will reinforce field surveillance, case investigation, vector control supervision, and data verification at district level. As Zambia advances toward malaria elimination in several provinces, operational mobility is essential to rapidly identify and interrupt transmission. These assets will therefore directly support our elimination agenda.
For the Zambia National Public Health Institute, the vehicles will enhance outbreak preparedness and response, field epidemiology investigations, and integrated disease surveillance supervision. In an increasingly complex global health environment, rapid field deployment capacity is fundamental to safeguarding national health security.
For the National Health Insurance Management Authority, the vehicle will strengthen provider accreditation, inspection, and monitoring functions, thereby improving accountability and service quality as we expand access under Universal Health Coverage.
For the University Teaching Hospital HIV Programme, the vehicle will support specialised outreach, patient follow-up, and referral coordination, contributing to improved retention in care and sustained viral suppression among patients with complex clinical needs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Collectively, this investment, amounting to ZMW 27,625,344.61, approximately USD 1,000,594.40, will reduce operational bottlenecks, strengthen supervision, improve timeliness from detection to response, and enhance last-mile implementation of critical health interventions. In practical terms, improved mobility translates into faster action, better oversight, stronger data integrity, and ultimately improved health outcomes for our people.
I am pleased to confirm that all mandatory processes have been completed. The vehicles are fully registered, branded, insured, asset-tagged, and formally assigned to their respective institutions. They are ready for immediate deployment. In keeping with established assurance mechanisms, post-distribution verification will be conducted to ensure these assets are utilised strictly for their intended public health purposes.

This initiative directly contributes to Zambia’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage and the objectives of the Eighth National Development Plan by strengthening service delivery systems at sub-national level and reinforcing health system resilience.
To the beneficiary institutions, I emphasise that these vehicles are a public trust. They must be managed responsibly, maintained diligently, and deployed exclusively in support of approved programme activities. Accountability and stewardship will determine the long-term value of this investment.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, I extend our sincere appreciation to the Global Fund for its continued partnership and unwavering support. Through sustained collaboration in HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and health systems strengthening, we are building a more resilient, responsive, and equitable health system for all Zambians.
With these remarks, it is my honour and privilege to officially hand over the thirty-one motor vehicles to the respective Ministry of Health institutions.
I thank you.
God bless you, and God bless Zambia.
LIVE NOW: Official Handover of Thirty-One (31) Motor Vehicles to Provincial and District Health Offices.
The Acting Minister of Health, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, presides over the official handover ceremony of 31 motor vehicles procured by the Ministry of Health with support from The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria under the Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) component.
The vehicles will enhance supervision, coordination, and service delivery at provincial and district levels, strengthening Zambia’s health systems and improving access to quality healthcare services.

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