adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
THE United States of America has injected $20 million into Zimbabwe’s Health Information Support Project (ZimHISP), a new programme designed to improve data collection on health matters in the country. The programme, which was launched yesterday in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, will assist in providing timely and accurate information on diseases.
In a statement yesterday, US Ambassador Bruce Wharton said running health programmes without correct information could be compared to driving at night without headlights.
“Through CDC, the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, or PEPFAR, has budgeted a total funding of over $20 million for these two five-year projects to support strategic information in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Timely availability, analysis, and use of health information are essential to developing and implementing effective health interventions and improving the health of the people”.
Wharton said benefits of the programme include providing high-quality information on HIV infection rates, key indicators of HIV drug resistance and coming up with prevention measures.
He expressed gratitude to the University of Zimbabwe and Research Triangle International —institutions that led to the successful implementation of the programme.
derick.khumalo