Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to digitizing the healthcare sector to enhance service delivery and prevent drug pilferage, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) playing a central role in the strategy.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health has launched the Track and Trace program, an initiative aimed at monitoring the movement of drugs. Felix Mutati, the Minister of Science and Technology, stated that digital tools would promote transparency in the use of government resources and help identify individuals involved in the theft and illegal sale of drugs. Health workers at public institutions have faced accusations of criminal activity.
“By employing AI in the health sector, we will deliver drugs faster and reduce costs,” Mutati said while addressing stakeholders during the 2025 to 2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework in Muchinga province.
Sylvia Masebo, the Minister of Health, announced that Parliament would pass a law imposing stricter sentences on those involved in drug theft.
The government, under President Haikande Hichilema, has established a National Task Force Team on the Search for Medicines and Medical Supplies to address this issue.
In May, the task force arrested 20 individuals suspected of drug and medicine pilferage and conducted raids on some pharmacies allegedly benefiting from the theft.
The task force includes members from the Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency, Medicines Regulatory Authority, Zambia Police, Drug Enforcement Commission, Office of the President, and Ministry of Health.
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