Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
ZIMBABWE is actively pursuing initiatives to fortify its reproductive health services, with the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) proposing various strategies to increase domestic funding amid revelations that teenage pregnancies had surged to 23 percent.
The ZNFPC last Friday engaged Parliamentarians representing the Health and Child Care and the Budget, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Portfolio Committees in Kadoma at a meeting that sought to look for inward solutions to raise funds, as external funding had been reduced.
ZNFPC said its primary objective was to ensure universal access to family planning and comprehensive reproductive health services for all Zimbabweans, including adventurous teenagers.
The council’s chief executive officer, Mr Farai Machinga, noted alarming statistics from the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey, revealing that the national teenage pregnancy rate had surged to 23 percent.
“This figure is a cause for grave concern and reflects the urgent need for intervention. ZNFPC has set ambitious targets to reduce this rate to single digits, aiming for less than 10 percent,” he said.
He emphasised that increased domestic financing for family planning and sexual reproductive health programs was critical to achieve the goal.
“Enhanced funding would facilitate educational initiatives designed to sensitise both young people and their parents about the risks associated with drug and substance abuse, as well as the implications of teenage pregnancies,” he added.
UNFP reproductive health programme specialist, Dr Edwin Mpeta, emphasised the urgency of prioritising budget allocations for domestic funding, particularly for sexual and reproductive health (SRH), arguing that advocating for the inclusion of the AIDS Levy to support contraceptive procurement, including condoms, was vital.
The ZNFPC requires support in the procurement of contraceptives to meet community needs effectively.
To bolster service delivery and ensure ongoing financial sustainability, ZNFPC is in the final stages of developing the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Cost Recovery Framework.
This strategic initiative is designed to improve operational efficiency while also exploring alternative funding avenues for contraceptive programs.
Mr Machinga acknowledged that while the government had made commendable strides in contraceptive support with a budget allocation of US$1.9 million worth of contraceptives designated for 2025, the funding was insufficient to meet the demands of the country’s programming needs.
He reiterated the necessity of bridging the financial gap left by the withdrawal of donor assistance, a resource that previously played a critical role in maintaining these services.
ZNFPC has proposed the national family planning cost recovery framework, pending approval and consensus from the relevant government ministry.
The Parliamentarians believe ZNFPC’s mission would address the challenges faced by the nation and expressed their commitment to advocating for enhanced health allocations within the national budget.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance, and Investment Promotion chairperson, Mr Energy Mutodi underscored the August House’s ongoing efforts to secure the targeted 15 percent allocation for health.
He noted that various initiatives to ensure health-related tax revenues were earmarked specifically for the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“The committee acknowledge the vital role the ZNFPC plays not only in addressing unwanted pregnancies but also in combating challenges related to HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, and the rising incidence of drug and substance abuse,” he said.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care chairperson, Dr Josiah Makombe, affirmed that the council must be provided adequate funding to fulfil its mandate, including conducting awareness campaigns and the distribution of contraceptives in hard-to-reach communities.
