Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu
SADC is confronting the health emergencies facing the region.
Government has received and noted the report on the virtual SADC Extraordinary Meeting of Health Ministers, which was held last week.
The report was presented to the Cabinet by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora.
Speaking during the Post-Cabinet briefing, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the virtual SADC Extraordinary meeting of Health Ministers addressed critical health challenges facing the region and adopted several key decisions to strengthen collective responses to these challenges.
Key highlights of the proceedings and outcomes included the ongoing health emergencies in the SADC region, such as Mpox Outbreak and Marburg Virus Disease.
The SADC member states were urged to share information on disease outbreaks timeously in order to effectively address cross-border transmission.
The meeting of the Health Ministers also endorsed the following:
· The SADC TB Strategic Plan;
· The expansion of the E8 Malaria Elimination Initiative to all 16 SADC Member States under the auspices of SADC;
· A project to accelerate the implementation and investment into the SADC Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Strategy;
· The feasibility study on the establishment of a Southern Africa Health Organisation; and
· The establishment of the SADC Pooled Procurement Services (SPPS) as an Autonomous Special Purpose Vehicle under the principle of subsidiarity. Min Muswere said in addition, the SADC Member States were urged to mobilise alternative funding through
public-private partnerships and domestic resource mobilisation for critical health programmes, including HIV, TB and malaria prevention, treatment and control.
Min Muswere said the Cabinet received an update on the state of preparedness to host the 15th Meeting of the Contracting Parties on the Convention on Wetlands (COP15).
“The nation is informed that subsequent to winning the bid to host the COP15, Zimbabwe has already made significant milestones towards hosting the 15th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP15) from 23 to 31 July 2025 at Elephant Hills Hotel in Victoria Falls.
“The Conference will run under the theme, ‘Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future.’
“Preparations for the Conference are at an advanced stage.
“The Conference is expected to showcase Zimbabwe’s tourist destinations, including the Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park and the Kasibo Wetland.”
