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Latwell Nyangu
LIFE expectancy at birth for women has increased from 66.5 to 68 years while life expectancy for men remained at 61 years, a Cabinet Minister has said.
This was revealed through the National Health Strategy Performance Report for the 2021-2024 period.
Speaking during the post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the country met the World Health Organisation’s recommendations.
“During the first half of the National Health Strategy, life expectancy at birth for females increased from 66.5 years to 68 years, while life expectancy at birth for males remained at 61 years.
“The country met the recommended 2010 World Health Report Threshold Public Health Expenditure per capita in 2021.
“Public Health Expenditure Per Capita has been increasing since the start of implementation of the National Health Strategy.
“There was a general increase in the availability of medicines in health facilities, from 51 percent in 2020 to 54.1 percent in 2021.
“In the second quarter of 2022, almost 96 percent of public health facilities had, at least, 80 percent of essential medicines in stock.
“Antimalarials, ARVs and anti-TB medicine stocks remained adequate during the period.”
Zimbabwe has made significant progress in responding to the HIV pandemic over the years.
“In 2021, the proportion of people living with HIV who were put on antiretroviral therapy (ART) was 98 percent.
“The AIDS mortality rate continues to decline.
“The World Health Organisation removed Zimbabwe from the list of 30 high-Tuberculosis burden countries in recognition of its success in reducing the burden of TB disease in recent years.
“Similarly, the national malaria incidence has seen a steep decline of 70 percent in the last three years, from 32 cases per 1 000 population in 2020 to 9 cases per 1 000 in 2022,” said Dr Muswere.
It is reported that about 90 percent of Zimbabweans access health services through the public health system.
“The Government is upgrading and expanding the system to provide all the requisite services. Government introduced Quinary Level Care, which is now the highest level of care meant to offer super-specialised services.
“The first Quinary Hospital is being established and is currently under construction.”
Dr Muswere added:
“Government has also made significant progress in the development of new health infrastructure and the refurbishment of existing facilities.
“Over 78 percent of district hospitals in Zimbabwe have fully operational theatres to perform emergency maternity surgery, and 93 percent have kits for resuscitating newly-born babies.
“Overall, the health sector has made significant progress towards achieving the targets set in the National Health Strategy (2021-2025).”
Online Reporter