By Monica Kayombo, Zambia, Lusaka,
THE Czech Republic has invested several million euros in Zambia’s healthcare sector since 2023, with nearly 300 patients receiving free specialist treatment under a medical cooperation programme aimed at improving healthcare delivery and strengthening the skills of local medical professionals.
Czech Republic Ambassador to Zambia Jiří Kyrian said the Medevac programme had enabled Czech doctors and nurses to work alongside their Zambian counterparts in specialised areas, including traumatology, paediatric heart surgery, ear, nose and throat (ENT) services, and women’s and newborn health.
Speaking in an interview after an opera classical music concert organised by the Czech Republic at the Italian Cultural Centre in Lusaka on Thursday, Mr Kyrian said the initiative represented a long-term commitment to improving the quality of healthcare in Zambia.
Cultural diplomacy strengthens bilateral relations
Beyond healthcare cooperation, Mr Kyrian said cultural diplomacy was an important part of the relationship between Zambia and the Czech Republic, as it enabled people from both countries to learn about one another’s traditions, history and identity.
He said the opera classical music concert was intended to share Czech culture with Zambians and create opportunities for stronger people-to-people connections.
“By presenting our culture, we are presenting our soul,” Mr Kyrian said, explaining that diplomacy extended beyond political negotiations, treaties and business engagements.
He said cultural events provided an opportunity for the Czech Republic to showcase its heritage and communicate its identity to the Zambian people.
The ambassador expressed regret that such concerts were not organised more frequently but disclosed that there were plans for similar events next year.
A longstanding partnership
Diplomatic relations between Zambia and the then Czechoslovakia were established in 1964, the year Zambia became independent.
The relationship has since developed to include healthcare, agriculture, education, rural development and other areas of cooperation.
The Czech Republic re-opened its embassy in Lusaka in 2017, reinforcing its engagement with Zambia.
The country also designated Zambia as one of its priority partners for development cooperation, with its current development cooperation programme covering the 2024–2030 period.
In healthcare, the Medevac programme has been active in Zambia since 2023, combining specialist medical missions with training and knowledge transfer to strengthen local capacity.
The partnership reflects a broader effort by the two countries to deepen cooperation through practical development initiatives while promoting mutual understanding through cultural exchange.
