Liebherr Zambia Limited has contributed €25,000 to Kupirira, a not-for-profit organisation seeking to improve access to affordable antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and HIV prevention products in Zambia amid changing donor financing.

The funding will support Kupirira’s continued efforts in establishing a sustainable procurement model to help protect treatment continuity for part of the approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV in the country.

Kupirira Co-founder and Managing Director Gertrude Musunka said the contribution came at a critical time as the organisation has started the process of engaging manufacturers and funders for financing options in order to secure affordable supplies.

She said changing international health financing had made private-sector participation and domestic resource mobilisation increasingly important in preventing disruptions to HIV treatment and prevention services.

“The era for donor funding 100 percent of health is gone. This is a time for us to look within ourselves,” Musunka said.

Kupirira is already procuring condoms and working towards its initial ARV purchases, with the first batch estimated to cost around $5 million.

Musunka said Kupirira intended to aggregate demand from participating companies and negotiate for lower pricing.

The benefit of lower prices is passed on to participating companies to ensure continued access to affordable drugs and supplies.

The not for profit status ensures all the resources are reinvested back in the business for sustainability.

Liebherr Managing Director for Administration Henri Wassink said the contribution reflected the company’s social responsibility and commitment to supporting Zambia’s health system.

“We need to support the health systems in Zambia, and that is also one of our social responsibilities as a company,” he said.

General Manager for Finance and Administration Kaluba Chaikatisha said community health directly affected employee wellbeing, productivity and business performance.

He urged young people to prioritise their health, describing it as essential to achieving their ambitions and contributing to national development.

Chaikatisha said the donation was a one-off commitment based on an identified need, although the company remained open to exploring further collaboration.

Musunka called on more businesses to partner with Kupirira by registering to access affordable HIV prevention and treatment supplies for their employees.

She said stronger private-sector participation could help sustain essential services as Zambia adapts to changes in traditional donor funding.

Kupirira aims to complement government efforts by mobilising domestic resources, negotiating affordable supplies and helping maintain reliable access to HIV treatment and prevention products.