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WITH the nation of Zimbabwe pursuing Vision 2030, Government has made significant investments in the health sector as it recognises that the health of a nation is critical to its development.
This is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.
In order for us to leave no one and no place behind as enunciated by President Mnangagwa, our approach needs to be comprehensive and strategic in tackling the diseases affecting us, with cholera, Covid-19, cancer as well as HIV and Aids being some of the most troublesome ones.
It is encouraging to note that Government has responded accordingly and funding for health has generally improved since 2009, although it still remains below the Abuja declaration commitment of 15 percent of total government expenditure.
Just recently, President Mnangagwa donated medical equipment that is critical for diagnosis and treatment of several diseases to St Peter’s Mission Hospital in Chipinge.
In addition, 12 health facilities in Manicaland recently received ultrasound scan machines as part of Government’s efforts to fight the high maternal mortality in the province.
But as these efforts go on, cholera continues to be a major public health threat with a global presence.
Zimbabwe is among those impacted by the scourge of cholera, with outbreaks following a somewhat cyclical pattern coinciding with the rain season.
Several districts in Manicaland have been declared as the country’s cholera hotspots.
As a result, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has engaged various development partners to help in the fight against cholera in Manicaland.
Cabinet also resolved that the Ministry of Health and Child Care, working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, should intensify timely release of funds to facilitate a comprehensive response to cholera.
Government has been working round the clock to solve the challenge of access to clean and safe water and sanitation, a critical component in the fight against cholera.
Elsewhere in this paper, we report that cholera cases are now subsiding, which is a clear indication that Government, once again, has succeeded in preserving the health of the people of Zimbabwe.
But there are other headaches.
It is now almost four decades since the first AIDS case was reported in Zimbabwe.
Lots of Government initiatives have been rolled out and Zimbabwe is now recording a decline in HIV prevalence.
In fact, while the country’s average HIV prevalence stands at 14.6 percent, having declined from a peak of 28 percent in 1997, Manicaland’s HIV prevalence rate is among the lowest in the country (Zimbabwe Population Based HIV Impact assessment 2015-2016).
Due to a comprehensive multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS, Zimbabwe has reached the 90–90–90 targets set by UNAIDS for 2020, that is 90 percent of people knowing their HIV status, 90 percent of those diagnosed with HIV on antiretroviral treatment, and 90 percent of those receiving treatment achieving viral suppression — and is now working toward the 95–95–95 targets for 2025.
On the other hand, the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 brought us to the realization and the need for lasting solutions in dealing with such diseases.
The deadly pandemic taught us that there is a need for a multi-stakeholder approach that involves Government, the private sector and development partners.
Government therefore marshalled the nation to contain the outbreak through early detection and rapid response. Additionally, the Covid-19 vaccination which was introduced in March 2021 is still ongoing.
Despite several hurdles, the country’s health system has largely remained resilient enough to provide basic services to the majority of the people.
Online Reporter