Budget Hailed for Medical and Agricultural Provisions

The Government of Zambia has been praised for its increased investment in health facilities, whilst Ministers have emphasised agricultural provisions are designed to help small farmers increase their productivity. 

The Government’s 2023 budget, announced on Friday, includes a commitment of approximately K17 billion ($1.1bn USD) to the health sector. The Medicines Research and Access Platform (MEDRAP) has hailed the move as demonstrative of the Government’s good intent.

Approximately 10.4% of the total national budget is to go to healthcare. The move constitutes a significant increase in investment when compared to the K13bn that was allocated for 2022.

Thus far, Hichilema has pledged the opening of maternity wings at all health facilities across the country. The goal is for every mother to be able to deliver in a safe environment under trained supervision. Through the investment, the administration seeks to reduce the major disparities that exist between urban and rural medical facilities.

The Government has repeatedly stated its determination to raise the standard of living in Zambia through investment, and through the Constituency Development Fund.  

Investments such as the new Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme are specifically targeted to assist small-scale farmers in developing their businesses. The programme replaced the Farmers Input Support Programme, the aim of this change is to provide more help and technical assistance to farmers through the 500 new extension officers.

Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, has praised the new emphasis, explaining it is not enough simply to provide fertilizer but rather farmers must be upskilled and educated on their proper use.

“Our focus is on how to make the farmers to be more productive because once the farmers catch on being more productive, it means that the requirements from the state will begin to narrow.”

Musokotwane praised Zambian farmers for their self-sufficiency, noting that nations who rely on importing wheat and maize are suffering because the war in Ukraine has hiked prices.

Image via Twitter @nkwoolley