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Rutendo Rori and Joan Tsikira Review Writers
As Zimbabwe grapples with various medical challenges, Zimbabwe Public Health Association (ZiPHA) has made it a mandate to advocate for the improvement of public health services, prevention of diseases, and provision of timely treatment for patients as well as rehabilitation of the disabled. World Health Organisation was the brains behind ZiPHA formation in a bid to guarantee every individual in the country especially those who rely on public institutions, access to quality health services, which are affordable and available.
This initiative came at a time when health services delivery has been pathetic with patients having to queue for long hours waiting for assistance. Speaking at the launch held in August at Rainbow Towers, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa said the platform had the potential to be the biggest institution to propel the public health agenda in Zimbabwe forward.
He said solutions to the health challenges being faced in the country will come if ZiPHA became an association of applied public health practitioners who offer practical solutions to address them. ZiPHA is expected to achieve its mandate through various courses of action including the following:
- Bringing together persons who are trained in, working in, or interested in public health or its related disciplines
- Actively participating in, and influencing, health policy, planning, training, management, and practice of public health
- Promoting the rights and interests of members
- Establishing forums for promoting communication among members and the public on health and health related matters
- Advancing research in public health and publishing scientific journals, newsletters for disseminating the results for the advancement of knowledge and excellence in public health practice
- Playing active advocacy roles on important health issues, such as preventing and control of epidemics and disaster situations.
In an interview with The Herald Review at an inaugural Annual General Meeting recently at Rainbow Towers, the then acting president of ZiPHA, Dr Shungu Munyati said the association was a voluntary institution being used by the Ministry of Health to advocate for quality health to policymakers at a time there are limited resources to overcome health challenges faced in the country.
“Many people cannot afford health insurance and it is a challenge in the community, we are going to assist so that we come up with sustainable health management policy that looks into the issues of health insurance. We are not a statutory board. We are a voluntary association and the main activity that we will be doing is advocacy, whereby we engage communities and practitioners to make sure that we work towards quality health,” said Dr Munyati.
He said the association was ready to look into the promotion of rights of the patients and members, establishment of forums to promote communication among members and the public concerning health issues as well as advancing research and advocating for prevention and control of epidemics.
He said the association had arisen at a time when there had been a void with regards to communication between the medical field and the public. Some of the issues that will be dealt with include National Health strategy 2016-2020, which is being developed, the unfinished agenda of Millennium Development Goals including maternal and child health issues, AIDS, TB and malaria.
There is also focus on vaccines for preventable illnesses, and ensuring health is a human right for all. “ZiPHA could be the voice that advocates for the redoubling of efforts to confront road traffic injuries, mental health, cancers, the burden of non communicable diseases and to control tobacco and alcohol use, chemical exposures and the occupational environment.”
Dr Munyati said ZiPHA was well prepared to trigger a debate concerning how effective Zimbabwe would commence on implementing initiatives aimed at providing access to preventive and rehabilitating health interventions for all citizens at an affordable price.
“ZiPHA, whose vision is the attainment of the highest possible standards of health for all Zimbabweans, is committed to improve the health and living standards of Zimbabweans through dedicated and active involvement of its members in all aspects of public health in Zimbabwe in collaboration with the stakeholders.”
According to information on WHO website, the organisation’s representative for Zimbabwe Dr David Okello said the launch of ZiPHA was a welcome development on the public health front.
“WHO calls on governments, partners and communities to support national public health associations in their role to strengthen health systems and promote community-based health development, which is a useful approach towards more effective implementation of primary health care,” he said. Dr Okello also outlined some major health development issues that require the immediate attention of ZiPHA, namely:
- The National Health Strategy 2016 – 2020, which is being developed where ZiPHA will be expected to play an active role in the formative stages of its development;
- The unfinished agenda of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs — including maternal and child health issues, AIDS, TB and Malaria; as well as vaccine preventable illnesses which are still prevalent and must be given full attention; and also making sure that health is a human right for all — as reflected in the Health-related MDGs
- The growing burden of Non Communicable Diseases whose insidious rise will form the basis of the biggest health challenges in the next few years. Support must be given to stronger community action to influence exercise and lifestyle; and to control tobacco use, alcohol, obesity, poor dental health, chemical exposures and the occupational environment. ZiPHA could be the voice that advocates for the re-doubling of efforts to confront the rising scourge of NCDs, including road traffic injuries, mental health and cancers.
- Universal Health Coverage: The UN General Assembly is currently considering proposals for Sustainable Development Goals, to succeed the Millennium Development Goals. SDGs focusing on health include universal health coverage among its targets which is fundamentally important, and ZiPHA is well-placed to trigger a debate on how best Zimbabwe could begin to implement initiatives aimed at providing access to promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health interventions for all at an affordable cost.
Dr Okello urged ZiPHA to become an affiliate of the African Federation of Public Health Associations and to be the voice of other health professional associations, and the channel for articulating their concerns.
He also pledged WHO’s commitment to work with ZiPHA and other development partners towards improving the health and quality of life of the people of Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter