Report | February 2026 | Download PDF

This research was conducted to study the availability, affordability and stockouts of 52 SRH commodities used for family planning, maternal healthcare, treatment of STIs, treatment of HIV/AIDS, in addition to several test kits and menstrual products, in Luapula and Southern provinces in Zambia. This research is essential as it creates a clear overview of the availability and affordability of a comprehensive package of essential SRH commodities in Zambia, which will contribute to the development of evidence-based policies to improve the SRH of women and adolescents.

Summary of Findings

Between 2022 and 2025, availability of family planning commodities in the public sector improved only slightly, with male condoms remaining the only method consistently available. The other methods continued to be limitedly available and experienced long stockouts. Private sector availability declined for most family planning commodities, making it an unreliable alternative. Limited insurance coverage through gaps in the implementation of the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) mean that stockouts in public facilities still lead to high out-of-pocket costs. Maternal health commodity availability improved in both public and private sectors, with more essential medicines meeting recommended thresholds and fewer stockouts. However, critical commodities for managing postpartum haemorrhage and pre-eclampsia remain largely unavailable. Availability of STI treatment commodities improved substantially, largely due to increased national drug funding. On top of that, private facilities seemed to provide a more reliable alternative for STI treatment commodities in 2025, although some stockouts persist. In contrast, availability of antiretroviral medicines for HIV/AIDS became more unstable, likely due to shifts in donor support and changes in treatment protocols, raising concerns about continuity of care. Meanwhile, availability of menstrual and reproductive health supplies worsened in the public sector, with sanitary pads and tampons no longer available, and although availability in the private sector improved slightly, costs remain high.

Learn more about SRH Commodities in Zambia by downloading the full report (PDF)