Government Underscores Importance Of Sustainable Family Planning Financing

Government has emphasised the importance of strengthening and sustaining financing for family planning as part of efforts to improve health outcomes and support Zambia’s broader national development agenda.

Speaking during the national dissemination of the Fiscal Space Analysis for the Family Planning Programme in Zambia, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination, Dr George Sinyangwe, said family planning is a high-impact intervention for reducing maternal and child mortality and harnessing demographic dividends.

Dr Sinyangwe said family planning must remain a strategic priority in national and sub-national budgeting and planning processes, warning that financing challenges could reverse gains made in the programme. He noted that modern contraceptive use among married women increased from nine percent in 1992 to 52.5 percent in 2024.

He said the Fiscal Space Analysis provides evidence on opportunities to expand domestic financing for family planning despite fiscal constraints and changing donor support. Dr Sinyangwe said efficiency improvements could help maximise value from existing resources.

He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to protecting user autonomy while ensuring access to all family planning methods at all levels of healthcare. He also called for stronger coordination among the finance, education, local government and civil society sectors.

Dr Sinyangwe further called for family planning to be integrated into broader health and social protection programmes, including health insurance, performance-based financing and digital health systems.

He urged partners to consider reviewing the Costed Implementation Plan and optimising its relevance through to 2030.

“We must move from analysis to action, dialogue to implementation and commitment to results,” Dr Sinyangwe said.

He said the dissemination of the Fiscal Space Analysis marks the beginning of a renewed national conversation on securing the future of family planning in Zambia. He also commended the Ministry of Finance and National Planning for its role in shaping the analysis.