ZAMBIA’S HEALTH MINISTRY ACCUMULATES K3.56 BILLION IN UNPAID DEBTS
Zambia’s Ministry of Health has accumulated outstanding financial obligations amounting to K3.56 billion, with some unpaid bills dating as far back as 2014.
This is according to the latest Auditor General’s Report for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.
The outstanding obligations include employee-related liabilities and unpaid bills owed to suppliers of goods and services.
Acting Auditor General Patricia Malaila has warned that the growing debt burden poses a serious threat to the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services.
The report further cautions that failure to settle outstanding obligations could expose the government to additional financial costs through penalties, interest and litigation.
The findings come amid continuing concerns about financial management and resource availability in Zambia’s public health sector.
The Auditor General has called for stronger financial controls, improved expenditure management and urgent measures to address outstanding obligations.
The revelations raise fresh questions about the long-term sustainability of healthcare financing and the government’s ability to meet its financial commitments to suppliers and employees.
The liabilities in the Ministry of Health do not only include Employees, they also include Retirees. Thousands of Retirees are still owed a lot of money in leave terminal benefits and other benefits. Some Retirees have died without receiving this money while those who are still alive, some have waited for more than 5-10 years without receiving it and there is no sign of receiving it soon. Now that we have a new Health Minister who seems to be action oriented, can he try to help the Retirees please, twapapata, it’s like no one remembers or cares for these people once they leave employment, not even Unions. They need their money before they die, they already worked for it. Tipempa Boma iyangane po pa nkani iyi.