by Staff writer
Lusaka, Monday, 22 December 2025 — The Medicines Research and Access Platform (MedRAP) has congratulated the Ministry of Health on the appointment of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) Board of Directors, describing the move as a major step toward strengthening governance and accountability at the institution.
In a statement issued on Monday, MedRAP welcomed the long-awaited development, noting that ZAMMSA had operated without a substantive board for an ext
ended period. The organization said the appointment aligns with good governance principles and fulfills the requirements set out in the ZAMMSA Act of Parliament, which mandates the agency to operate under the oversight of an independent Board of Directors.
MedRAP stated that the newly appointed board will provide critical oversight over ZAMMSA’s affairs and enhance the institution’s effective functioning. The organization further commended the Ministry of Health for creating an enabling environment for the board to assume its rightful role, including initiating the process to recruit a substantive Director General.
According to MedRAP, the establishment of the board allows the Ministry to step back from day-to-day operational matters and focus on policy guidance, while enabling the board to independently carry out its governance responsibilities as prescribed by law.
The organization also urged the Ministry of Health to allow the ZAMMSA Board of Directors to operate freely and without political interference. It emphasized that the Ministry’s role should remain limited to policy direction and oversight through reports, while operational governance is left to the board.
MedRAP noted that a clear institutional strategy, owned and guided by the Board of Directors, will support management in effectively implementing ZAMMSA’s mandate and improving service delivery. The development was also described as a positive response to concerns raised in the forensic audit, particularly regarding governance and oversight gaps at the agency.
The organization further expressed encouragement that the Ministry heeded advice to temporarily halt the recruitment of a Director General until the board was constituted, adding confidence that future actions will now follow proper legal and governance processes.
MedRAP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and effective governance within Zambia’s health sector.
The statement was issued by Liyoka Liyoka, MedRAP Executive Director
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