‘NDS1 success hinged on private sector, Govt collaboration’

CIMAS Health Group chief executive officer, Mr Vulindlela Ndlovu, says the success of the Government’s National Development Strategy (NDS1) blueprint falls squarely on the private sector working together with the Government.He made the remarks while addressing guests during the International Business Conference 2024, which was part of the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.

For the second year running, Cimas Health Group was the platinum sponsor for the ZITF International Business Conference and brought 80 pupils from rural schools to have a feel of the prime investment and trade expo.“Our wish list for our industry, consistent with this year’s ZITF great theme, firstly, I must say that the Government of Zimbabwe initiated bold strategies that are disrupting the status quo through the NDS1 blueprint,” said Mr Ndlovu.

“However, the success of this blueprint falls squarely on the private sector working together with the Government.
“We find the pharmaceutical value chain strategies most exciting. As Cimas Health Group, we intend to maximise on the whole healthcare value chain. However, zeroing in on the pharmaceutical value chain, we have seen an increase in locally manufactured medical consumables and pharmaceuticals,” he added.

“We are, however, cognisant that as a country we are still lagging in meeting the NDS1 expectations.”
Mr Ndlovu called for increased collaboration in key sectors saying the country still has a high volume of pharmaceutical imports that must be substituted.“Is it not time we all mobilised more funding to capacitate local manufacturers? Is this not an opportune time for a Health Investment Fund, whose success will be underpinned by sustainable support given to the manufacturers by us the private sector and the public sector?” he said.

“On another note, supporting NatPharm will also assist us in improving medicines availability and pricing.”
Mr Ndlovu said this year’s ZITF theme: “Innovation: The Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade” was quite inspiring and as a private healthcare player they do not underestimate the responsibility they have in contributing to innovations that can take the country forward.

“I am excited to advise that this year, as Cimas Health Group, we are launching a genomic sequencing service. This will enable us to identify individuals who could potentially be at risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

“Our sequencer will also be able to do wellness and pharmacogenetic testing. In the end it will help in the development of precision medicine,” he said.

“This year, in addition to our Exhibition Pavilion where we have mental health assessments, Body Mass Index (BMI), BP, diabetes screening, H pylori screening tests, blood grouping tests and prostate screening tests, we have also brought our brand-new mobile clinic.” — Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu