Government to Rehire Some Health Workers Laid Off After USAID Withdrawal

Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa has announced that the government plans to rehire some of the health workers who lost their jobs following the withdrawal of USAID funding earlier this year.

The move follows a decision by the US government in January to impose a 90-day pause on funding for international development programmes, including those in Zambia. A subsequent announcement in February confirmed the full withdrawal of USAID support, leading to the termination of key health projects and significant job losses.

Speaking in a recent interview, Nkulukusa stated that the government aims to recruit 2,000 new health workers this year. Rather than hiring an entirely new workforce, priority will be given to those previously employed under the USAID programmes, depending on the availability of positions.

The government recognises the value of the skills and experience that these health workers already bring to the sector, and by reintegrating them into the public health system, the government can maintain service delivery while reducing the impact of the funding cuts.

The move offers a lifeline to many trained professionals affected by the aid withdrawal and represents a step towards stabilising the country’s healthcare system amid ongoing financial pressures.