adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE government is working to curb unnecessary imports in measures that are expected to reduce the country’s trade deficit that has since reached $4 billion. This was said by President Robert Mugabe when he officially opened the Third Session of the Eighth Parliament of Zimbabwe in Harare on Tuesday.
The President said the action on unnecessary imports would lead to the revival of the country’s economy. “In order to promote the revival and growth of the local manufacturing sector, action is being taken to limit the importation of goods for which there is adequate local production capacity,” said President Mugabe.
He also said the country was committed to the provision of quality education for national development. The President said the revision of primary and secondary education curriculum would empower pupils with skills for the future.
“The entire Primary and Secondary Education Curriculum is being reviewed to render the country’s education system appropriate for the current and future development needs of our country. The government has also come up with a policy framework to facilitate the provision of infrastructure at our institutions of learning, within the context of public-private joint venture partnerships,” Cde Mugabe said.
He said plans were on course to transform the National Defence University.
A regulatory authority for medical societies would also be enacted to improve governance and ensure clarity of roles between insurers and service providers.
Cde Mugabe said the country is planning to build liberation war memorial hospitals in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.
The President said the government was committed to ensure that people have access to medical facilities.
“A Bill to combine the War Veterans’ Act and the ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Act into one, now incorporating with War Collaborators, will be tabled before Parliament during this session. Efforts are also underway to construct three Zimbabwe Liberation War Memorial Hospitals in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls, through a joint venture partnership with foreign contractor,” he said.
“Effective health care is the cornerstone for our national well-being. Accordingly, the Public Health Bill will be tabled during the course of the current Session. The Bill seeks to adequately address current public health challenges among them the issues of non-communicable diseases, maternal health, cross border risk as well as the involvement of non-state actors and communities in the health care provision.”
derick.khumalo