Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
THE Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) uniformed forces have commended Zimbabwe for its commitment in combating HIV and Aids and other infectious diseases.
This was revealed at the close of the 12th Uniformed Services Health Conference held in Bulawayo yesterday, where regional allies stressed the need for greater awareness and co-operation to safeguard the health of defence forces.
The three-day conference brought together senior military and health officials from SADC Member States, including Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Angola. Representatives from East and West Africa, such as Kenya and Nigeria, also attended.
Zambian Army Medical Services director-general Brigadier-General Amideos Nshikita said the initiative demonstrates regional solidarity.
“Through collective and consolidated efforts, it is imperative to tackle shared health challenges by prioritising innovative research, which is in line with this year’s theme,” he said.
“We must, as a region, remain vigilant against veterinary threats such as anthrax, alongside a spectrum of other invisible adversaries.”
Surgeon Commodore Ndubuisi Onwere, director of Medical Services at Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, pledged to replicate the initiative back home.
“We learnt a lot and this must be mirrored across the continent. It has been a wonderful experience to meet and share ideas with other African States,” he said.
Zimbabwean security chiefs echoed the call for deeper co-operation. Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba reinforced ZDF Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda’s message on building a regional roadmap to address health challenges
“Your presence here is a clear indication that health in the uniformed forces is not a peripheral issue, but central to operational readiness, national security and overall stability of our region,” he said.
Comm-Gen Mutamba said by continuously engaging on such platforms and taking proactive action, the region was guaranteeing the health of its uniformed forces.
“As uniformed forces, we should be guided by the national and global objectives on HIV and Aids, where the triple-95 goals should inform our actions. With astute and strategic guidance, we have already demonstrated our desire to be part of the global vision,” he said.
“The vision strives to achieve zero HIV infection, zero discrimination and zero HIV/Aids related deaths by 2030.”
Comm-Gen Mutamba said he is pleased that the conference drew the attention of SADC partners.
“This ensures a cross-pollination of ideas, sharing of best practices and formulation of effective strategies to address common and cross-cutting health challenges. Such regional collaboration, especially on health issues, is no longer optional, but a strategic and operational imperative we cannot wish away,” he said.
“Regional co-operation helps us to learn faster and build collective resilience by leveraging our diverse comparative advantages.”
Comm-Gen Mutamba said the conference is a critical platform for various health sector stakeholders to discuss comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies.
