The Zambian Ministry of Health had accumulated 3.56 billion kwacha in unpaid obligations at 31 December 2025, according to the Auditor General's report on public accounts for that financial year, the publication of which was announced on Monday, 19 October.
The total includes 1.998 billion kwacha in other staff remuneration items and 1.566 billion owed to suppliers of goods and services. The exact total calculated by the auditors reaches 3,564,361,363 kwacha.
A review of supplier accounts shows that some invoices had remained outstanding since 2014. The arrears recorded at the close of 2025 may therefore come from several financial years, and do not represent only expenditure incurred during that year.
The report, signed by acting Auditor General Patricia Malaila, covers ministries, provinces and bodies funded from public money. In its foreword, she calls on administrative managers to strengthen controls, procurement procedures and the monitoring of funds.
At Mbala General Hospital, the auditors also found the absence of an oxygen production unit, although one is required by the standards applicable to facilities of this level. This shortfall led the hospital to spend 853,291 kwacha on purchasing and transporting this medical gas during the period examined.