Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
GOVERNMENT views the private healthcare sector as a critical partner in achieving universal health coverage under Vision 2030, Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora has said.
Addressing the Private Healthcare Association of Zimbabwe (PHAZ) Annual Conference in Nyanga last week, Dr Mombeshora said Government will continue strengthening collaboration with private players to improve access to quality, safe and affordable healthcare for all Zimbabweans.
He said universal health coverage requires coordinated action involving the Government, private healthcare providers, medical aid societies, regulators and development partners.
Dr Mombeshora said Government recognises the growing contribution of the private sector in complementing public health services through investments in infrastructure, technology, specialist services and employment creation.
“Government recognises the significant contribution made by the private healthcare sector in expanding access to services, investing in infrastructure and technology, creating employment and complementing national health priorities,” said Dr Mombeshora, adding that healthcare financing remains central to health sector reforms, with the Government advancing plans to establish a National Health Insurance programme to broaden access and reduce the financial burden on patients.
“The objective is to create a more equitable and sustainable financing system that broadens access to healthcare while accelerating progress towards universal health coverage. Achieving this will require broad consultation and partnership across both the public and private sectors,” said Dr Mombeshora, adding that the Government also supports separating healthcare financing from healthcare provision to improve transparency, strengthen competition and preserve patients’ freedom of choice.
He said no single institution should simultaneously finance, regulate, purchase and provide healthcare services, as such arrangements could create conflicts of interest and limit competition and efficiency.
He added that the Government is reviewing licencing requirements affecting healthcare institutions to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens and improve the ease of doing business, while maintaining high standards of patient care.
The call for stronger public-private collaboration was echoed by private sector leaders, who reaffirmed their commitment to complement national efforts to achieve Vision 2030.
PHAZ chairperson, Mrs Letitia Gaga said private providers remain committed to work closely with the Government to strengthen Zimbabwe’s health system through improved service delivery, sound corporate governance and the development of skilled professionals.
“The patient remains at the heart of everything we do.
‘‘By working together with the Government and other healthcare stakeholders, we can build a healthier nation supported by strong institutions and quality healthcare services,” she said.
Mrs Gaga said strong corporate governance underpins resilient institutions capable of delivering consistent, quality care.
“We believe strong governance creates strong healthcare institutions, which ultimately contribute to national development. Every healthcare provider must uphold sound governance systems that promote accountability, quality and efficiency,” she said.
She said PHAZ is working together with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to train healthcare professionals, complementing the Government’s efforts to strengthen the health workforce.
“Our role is to complement the Government by helping produce well-trained healthcare professionals. We share the national vision of strengthening the country’s healthcare workforce and improving service delivery,” she said.
Mrs Gaga welcomed the Government’s willingness to review licencing requirements.
She said ongoing consultations will help streamline the framework, while maintaining appropriate standards.
She also called for reforms to promote fair competition, while safeguarding patients’ freedom to choose their treatment providers.
“We are not seeking confrontation. We want collaboration that allows insurers to focus on financing healthcare, while service providers concentrate on delivering quality medical care, with patients retaining the freedom to choose where they receive treatment,” she said.
Nyaradzo Group’s head of strategic solutions and corporate affairs, Mr Tendayi Gwatiringa, said the private sector has enormous potential to complement the Government through wider access, innovative service models and investment in human capital.
Mr Gwatiringa said institutions should decentralise services through digital health technologies, community-based diagnostic centres and emergency stabilisation facilities.
“If we can consistently deliver quality services to remote communities in other sectors, then collectively we can also expand quality healthcare to those same communities,” he said, urging greater engagement with traditional leaders, saying consultations could help design services that respond to local needs and build community trust.
