Zambia exits WHO health worker red list after staffing increases

Zambia removed itself from the World Health Organization’s health workforce safeguards red list after increasing its health worker numbers and securing a new health agreement with the United States.

In March 2026, the WHO reduced the number of countries on the list from 55 to 36, citing improvements in Universal Health Coverage Service Coverage. Zambia was among the African nations removed due to these changes.

Since August 2021, President Hakainde Hichilema’s government has recruited over 18,000 health workers, with plans to hire an additional 2,500 through the 2026 national budget. The Civil Service Commission reported cumulative health worker recruitment reaching approximately 20,000 by 2025, while the ruling United Party for National Development claims a figure of 23,560 over five years. Alongside the recruitment drive, Zambia and the U.S. signed a five-year, $2.49 billion health cooperation agreement in Lusaka.

The U.S. will contribute $1.52 billion and Zambia will contribute $975 million. Zambian negotiators secured this deal by removing data-sharing clauses that had previously stalled negotiations and separating it from discussions about critical minerals. Health Minister Roma Chilengi stated the agreement will fund the recruitment of 40,000 health workers and secure essential medicines for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Despite these improvements, Zambia’s health system still faces challenges, including a 52% vacancy rate in 2021 despite a doubling of established positions since 2016. However, the removal from the WHO list eliminates a barrier to international recruitment, as the list discouraged active recruitment by foreign employers. As of October 12, 2026, Zambia remained on the UK’s separate red list.