Gen Chiwenga calls for cooperation across borders to combat spread of diseases

In a speech read on his behalf by the commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal Perence Shiri, during the official opening of the Sadc MHS 12th annual general meeting in Victoria Falls yesterday, Gen Chiwenga said Sadc MHS had grown from strength to strength and had come up with programmes that had benefited the entire region.

“It is my hope and conviction that you will keep the same momentum and initiate more cooperation across borders to combat diseases that continue to decimate our communities. You should also uphold soldiers’ morale by addressing their physical, psychological and social welfare needs,” he said.

Gen Chiwenga also urged Sadc MHS to come up with protocols and mechanisms that would ensure that military health workers can be allowed to provide health care services in other countries during emergencies.

“I have been informed that the AGM discussed issues related to joint operations during responses to epidemics and emergencies that cut across borders and also joint coverage during defence forces activities. These events require agreements on inter-operability,” he said.

“Of equal importance also is the finalisation of the MHS doctrine which I believe will be finalised by a select committee of five countries as agreed during the Sadc MHS Troika meeting held in Tanzania last June. Defence chiefs look forward to receiving the final document, which will enhance the national and regional capacity to support military operations during both peace and active time.

There is no doubt that the doctrine will also enhance our capacity to support the ministries of health during epidemics, emergencies and disasters.”

Gen Chiwenga said Sadc MHS had done successful malaria awareness activities over the years, which he said had highlighted the plight of communities in member states.

“In 2003, the Sadc MHS organised a malaria awareness campaign that started in South Africa passing through Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana and ended in Tanzania. Angola, Mozambique and Namibia also participated in the campaign. This was followed by another malaria campaign in 2008 called the Zambezi River of live expedition, which was an exploration of the Zambezi River from its source in Angola down to Maremeu in Mozambique. These two major activities raised malaria awareness and highlighted the plight of communities in these remote areas,” said Gen Chiwenga.

He also said other notable achievements by the Sadc MHS working group included the establishment of HIV and Aids, TB, mental health and disaster management technical committees.

Gen Chiwenga said Sadc MHS was formed in the early 1990s as a military medical working group under the auspices of the Sadc Inter-State Defence and Security Committee.

He said Zimbabwe was also going to assume chairmanship of Sadc MHS at the end of the general meeting.