Across 34 healthcare facilities in Zambia, staff have reported the following changes: 42% reported a decrease in number of non-medical staff employed at the facility (e.g., cleaner), 33% reported a decrease in number of medical staff employed at the facility (e.g., nurse), 25% reported a decrease in availability of essential medicines and 17% reported a decrease in availability of WASH supplies and services.
Date: 10/25
Region: Africa
Country: Zambia
Topic: Health
Policy Lens: Global Health Security
Additional Context: Released October 2025 via preprint server medRxiv, this University of North Carolina–led study, funded by World Vision, examined the effects of U.S. foreign aid reductions on Zambia’s health system. Researchers assessed 34 facilities in three districts and surveyed 330 healthcare workers on service delivery, staffing, and resource gaps. Find the full report here.
Devex Researcher Note: Separate from USAID's departure in Zambia, the U.S. cut $50 million in medications and medical supplies support following alleged nationwide theft of certain medicines across the supply chain. Find more information here.
Source: “The impacts of United States foreign development assistance reductions on health system building blocks at healthcare facilities in Zambia: a mixed-methods study,” University of North Carolina Water Institute, 2025.