Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S health sector is set to undergo a major transformation and modernisation that will involve upgrading of infrastructure, equipping health facilities and improving drug supply and other consumables. This follows an agreement signed between Zimbabwe and Belarus during President Mnangagwa’s recent State visit to Belarus.
The two countries agreed to start the modernisation programme with the reconstruction of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals before the programme is cascaded across the country, targeting mainly provincial and district hospitals.
Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the transformation and modernisation programme is meant to ensure citizens receive quality health care.
He said Zimbabwe and Belarus signed two agreements and the first was to do with physical infrastructure upgrade of hospitals and equipment.
Prof Ncube said the second agreement was on acquisition of pharmaceuticals, drugs and other consumables.
He said Government decided to start with Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals because it is the country’s biggest referral hospital.
Minister Ncube said the Government delegation headed by President Mnangagwa was impressed with the quality of health facilities in Belarus and wanted to match those standards with the support of Belarus.
Government had before the agreement with Belarus to revamp the health sector, already started working on increasing resources allocated to the health sector in line with the Abuja Declaration.
The Abuja target is for countries to allocate 15 percent of their annual budgets to the health sector.
President Mnangagwa said recently that Government’s allocation towards health had increased from 9,8 percent of the national budget in 2024 to 13,01 percent in 2025 as it moves towards the 15 percent Abuja target.
He said Government adopted a number of innovative ways to raise revenue for the health sector as opposed to waiting for donor funding.
Government has introduced a number of levies on alcohol, cigarettes, fast foods and sugary beverages commonly known as “sin taxes”.
Zimbabweans have welcomed the signing of the deal to revamp the health sector saying the state-of- the-art hospitals will improve patient care.
We want at this juncture to implore the two Governments to move with speed to implement the signed agreements so that Zimbabwe can immediately address the shortcomings in the health sector.
