The Zambian government says assets recovered by a special anti-corruption task force will be used to improve hospitals across the country.

Zambian Information Minister Mike Mulongoti says the assets- including apartments in Belgium, vehicles, agricultural equipment and bank accounts - will raise about $59 million when sold.

He says most of the money will be used to build hospital maternity wings, to help improve the health of women and children.

The items were recovered by the government's Task Force on Corruption, which has been searching for assets stolen from the government between 1991 and 2001, during the term of former president Frederick Chiluba.

Last year, a British court found Chiluba guilty of stealing $46 million while he was in office. It also found four of his top aides guilty of conspiracy.

Zambia's government sued Chiluba in London because the stolen funds passed through British bank accounts.

Chiluba is currently on trial again in Zambia on theft charges.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.