Online Reporter
Sharon Jiyamwa
Herald reporter
Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) has officially opened a new clinic in Harare’s Eastgate area, expanding access to affordable primary healthcare, sexual and reproductive health services, family planning and preventive care.
Speaking at the official opening, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini said the facility was an important addition to Government’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage and bring quality healthcare closer to communities.
He said the clinic supported the country’s National Development Strategy 2 and National Health Strategy, particularly priorities focused on strengthening primary healthcare, promoting health equity, improving quality of care and delivering people-centred health services.
“Today, we are opening another door to quality, accessible and people-centred primary healthcare,” he said, adding that the facility would bring healthcare closer to thousands of people who live, work and conduct business in Harare’s central business district.
He urged Zimbabweans to seek medical attention early rather than waiting until illnesses become severe, while encouraging regular screening and preventive healthcare as the country faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
“We, therefore, need to move from a culture of treating illness after it has occurred to one that emphasises prevention, screening, and early diagnosis.
“As you heard from the other speakers, early diagnosis and early detection through early screening provides better health.”
He also highlighted the clinic’s role in expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for women, adolescents and young people.
“Distinguished guests, this investment also supports our National Family Planning Strategy and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy, while strengthening primary healthcare.”
He commended PSZ for its contribution to Zimbabwe’s health sector and called on private health providers to maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, quality and patient safety.
PSZ Country Director Mrs Pester Siraha said the Eastgate facility is the organisation’s seventh operational static clinic in Zimbabwe and forms part of its long-term sustainability strategy amid declining donor funding and the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.
Since its establishment in 1987, PSZ has provided general healthcare, sexual and reproductive health services, family planning and clinical care through static clinics, mobile outreach programmes, public-sector strengthening, social marketing and a toll-free contact centre.
“This Eastgate Clinic will be supported by an in-house fully-fledged contact centre or call centre, reflecting our commitment to client-centred care and ensuring that we remain within our call of one-hour support for our clients. Every client has to be closer to a health facility,” she added.
Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Per Lindgärde said Sweden had invested approximately 183 million Swedish kronor (about US$20 million) since 2018 through three successive partnerships with PSZ and MSI Reproductive Choices.
He said the partnership had expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services, strengthened public health facilities, supported healthcare workers and improved access to family planning, maternal healthcare, post-abortion care and cervical cancer screening.
He said the Eastgate Clinic represented an important legacy of the partnership as Sweden prepares to conclude its bilateral development cooperation with Zimbabwe.
He said the clinic’s location in the heart of Harare was significant because thousands of women travel to the city daily to work, study, run businesses and care for their families.
“By bringing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services closer to where people live their daily lives, this clinic makes quality health care more accessible, more convenient, and more responsive to the realities of urban life,” he said.
The facility provides primary healthcare consultations, diagnostic services, health screening, wellness services and sexual and reproductive health services, with PSZ saying its goal is to provide care that is professional, confidential and client-centred.
The partnership between Government, PSZ, Sweden and other development partners has been described as an example of how collaboration can strengthen Zimbabwe’s health system.
