The Indian government has offered 50 million U. S. dollars in loan to Zambia to build pre-fabricated health centers in all of the nine provinces in the southern African country, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Wednesday.

The loan is to be repaid over 20 years at an interest of 1.75 percent.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Chishimba Kambwili said the pre- fabricated health centers will be erected in various places across the country to improve health delivery.

"The government wants to ensure that there is reliable infrastructure," he was quoted as saying.

The pre-fabricated health facilities, he said, will be built within short space of time and will help to boost health service delivery, especially in rural areas.

Zambia is currently facing challenges in providing quality infrastructure in health services. Last year, the government obtained a loan from China for the purchase of mobile hospitals, which are already in operation.