By 
The Resident Doctors Association of Zambia has urged African nations to design, finance and control their own health systems, saying they must not surrender autonomy in pursuit of external support.
RDAZ President, Paul Chibwe, said the matter formed part of a broader push for Pan-African health sovereignty, stressing the importance of protecting national decision-making in public health.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Chibwe said international cooperation remained important, but should not compromise national security or the confidentiality of citizens’ medical and personal information.
He welcomed what he described as the government’s reported decision to reject a United States health funding package that he said was tied to access to sensitive data belonging to Zambia citizens.
“True partnership must be based on mutual respect, transparency and non-interference, not conditionality,” Chibwe said.
He added that any arrangement jeopardising citizens’ sensitive health information undermined trust in the healthcare system and violated fundamental medical ethics.
“As medical professionals, we hold patient confidentiality as a sacred ethical obligation,” he said.
“The country must prioritise raising resources locally, invest in sustainable public health financing, and reduce dependency on external support tied to conditions that may conflict with national interests,” he added.
RDAZ reaffirmed its support for government decisions that protected citizens, upheld medical ethics and advanced Zambia’s long-term health independence.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments