Midlands hospitals get utility vehicles

Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor

VARIOUS Midlands hospitals on Monday received utility vehicles that were acquired by Government through the support from the Global Fund.

Speaking during the handover of the vehicles, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube said the arrival of the utility vehicle is a moment of celebration and affirmation of the Second Republic’s pro-people transformative agenda.

He noted that the vehicles will significantly improve health care delivery to communities in line with Government’s commitment to ensure health for all by 2025 and President Mnangagwa’s thrust of achieving an Upper Middle Income Society earlier than 2030.

“During my tour of health institutions in the province, l observed health service delivery gaps among them shortage of service vehicles which we are addressing today. The utility vehicles will enable the Ministry of Health and Child Care to streamline the ordering and distribution process of medicines, minimize delays to guarantee steady supplies of essential medicines regardless of location ensuring no one and no place is left behind.

“I acknowledge and express my sincere appreciation on behalf of Midlands Province for the continued excellent working relationship between the Government of Zimbabwe and United Nations agencies that underscores the Second Republic’s engagement and re- engagement agenda. This partnership has been instrumental in driving progress and development across various sectors, including the health sector,” said Minister Ncube.

He said the government noted the immense value of collaboration and partnership with International Organizations, in particular the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Global Fund, in achieving our national development priorities.

“As you may be aware, our Province has been affected by Cholera outbreak. I am however grateful to our dedicated Health Personnel who continue to work tirelessly towards treatment of all cholera patients as well as applying control and prevention measures.

“We are also seized with the emerging Drug and Substance Abuse Disaster which is eroding the future of our youths and is also affecting adults. I therefore call upon Districts to take a leaf from Kwekwe District which rolled out massive campaigns against drug and substance abuse,” said the Minister.