Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter
IN a significant stride towards enhancing public health and safety, the Zimbabwean Government has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art incinerator facility at the Chirundu Border Post.
During the facility’s handover ceremony on Tuesday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Aspect Maunganidze, represented by the director of environmental health services Mr Victor Nyamandi, said the incinerators will safeguard public health.
This strategic investment, facilitated by the SAFE Project with funding from the European Union and technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), marks a pivotal moment in the country’s efforts to prevent disease outbreaks.
“Foodborne diseases pose a substantial threat to global health and hinder socioeconomic development,” he said.
“The interconnectedness of our world today means that an outbreak anywhere can quickly spread to other regions.
“Zimbabwe is not immune to this risk, underscoring the urgent need for robust biosecurity measures.”
The project aligns seamlessly with the Government’s broader health and safety agenda, supporting the Zimbabwe Infection Control and Healthcare Waste Management Plan and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, represented by Ms Tendai Munyokovere highlighted the importance of responsible waste disposal in preventing the spread of diseases and pests.
“Incinerating condemned food products is considered the best option to avoid the introduction and spread of diseases and pests into the country as well as avoiding nuisances at ports of entry and surrounding areas due to improper waste disposal,” he said.
European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann, represented by Mr Martin Zhou expressed his satisfaction with the project, emphasising its contribution to the resilience of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector and the well-being of its citizens.
“These incinerators are not just structures, they are safeguards against disease outbreaks,” he said.
“There are essential components of our broader efforts to strengthen biosecurity and protect the health of our people.”
Online Reporter