Tokyo, 7th October 2025 —Zambia’s Ambasador to Japan Dr. Tobias Mulimbika has commended the Global Fund for its continued contribution to achieving universal health coverage in Zambia.
Dr. Mulimbika said this during a reception on strengthening international collaboration toward the Global Fund’s 8th Replenishment: Perspectives on Japan-UK-South Africa Cooperation in Global Health at the British Embassy in Tokyo recently.
Ambassador Mulimbika highlighted that said Zambia’s recent engagement with the Global Fund, through the signing of new grants worth US$362 million for the 2024-2026 period underscores both the country’s commitment and the importance of sustained international cooperation.
Dr. Mulimbika said the funds will support Zambia’s efforts to combat HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and malaria while also strengthening laboratories, surveillance systems, community health structures and overall health system resilience.
“Beyond financing, we are equally grateful for the technical partnerships that have accompanied this cooperation-notably with Japan’s JICA and UK Health Security Agency which have supported training, infrastructure development, and capacity building across our health sector.”said Ambassador Mulimbika.
He described Zambia’s trilateral cooperation with development partners and multilateral institutions as a model of inclusive, country led and results oriented health diplomacy.
The Ambassador noted that the recent visit of the Japanese Diet Task Force to Zambia was a moment of pride for Zambia and deeply appreciated the initiative that allowed them to see firsthand how partnerships work on the ground and how how different initiatives including the Global Fund, Gavi, JICA and Unitaid complement one another.
“Most importantly, they witnessed how this support is saving lives, clinics delivering HIV and TB treatment, communities better protected from malaria and health systems strengthened through supply chains, labortaories and digital innovation.
Dr. Mulimbika further observed that Zambia’s partnership with the Gobal Fund has helped more that one million Zambians access life saving antiretroviral therapy, expanded malaria interventions and improved TB detection and treatment outcomes. He also said investments in digital platforms have enhanced supply chain management, ensuring medicines reach patients efficiently.
He added that Tuberculosis services are reaching more communities with better detection and improved treatment outcomes, as well as investments in digital platforms strengthening supply chain management and ensuring medicines reach patients when they are needed the most.
The Ambassador emphasised that the upcoming Global Fund replenishment will be critical in building more resilient health systems in Zambia as well as Southern Africa.
He has since invited Japan to continue expanding life-saving interventioms, strengthen health systems, and advancing progress toward universal health coverage in line with Japan’s vision for resilient and equitable global health.
With Japan’s continued partnership, we can safeguard progress, foster innovation in health systems and create a healthier, more resilient and inclusive future for all Zambians and communities across Africa that are capable of withstanding future crises.
He praised Japan’s longstanding leadership in championing universal health coverage, noting that the engangement of the Diet Task Force and the advocay of Friends of the Global Fund Japan clearly demonstrate Japan’s global health leadership and commitment to shared progress.
“As we approach the replenishment, I urge the government of Japan , Parliament and the private sector to deepen this leadership in realising our shared vision aligned with Zambia’s 8th National Development Plan, Universal Health Coverage goals, and Agenda 2030,”he added.
And speaking at the same event, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Vice Minister Mr. Matsumoto Hisashi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supoorting global health under its pillars of diplomacy and human security, pledging continued support for Africa’s efforts against HIV,TB malaria and for sustainable universal health coverage.
Issued by:
Faith Nabeene Chilube
First Secretary for Press and PR-Embassy of the Republic of Zambia,
Tokyo, Japan
