Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
The Government of Zimbabwe has launched a US$14.33 million Pandemic Fund aimed at strengthening early detection, laboratory diagnostics, workforce capacity, emergency preparedness and response across the human, animal and environmental health sectors.
Supported by the Pandemic Fund, the three-year project (2026–2028) will leverage US$49 million in partner co-financing and US$91.8 million in government co-investment.
The project is set to help Zimbabwe identify and respond to emerging threats before they escalate, while also reinforcing coordination across human, animal and environmental health institutions.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care said these investments are expected to strengthen the ability of national institutions, frontline services and communities to manage outbreaks while maintaining essential services.
Delivering the Keynote Address on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora said, protecting public health must be recognised as a fundamental national development imperative, essential for safeguarding our livelihoods, economy and public services.
“Because health threats do not respect administrative or international boundaries, pandemic preparedness requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort through the One Health approach. By aligning human health, animal health, agriculture, environment, local government, research, and private sectors around a shared mandate, we ensure our preparedness systems are resilient, unified, and capable of protecting the lives of all Zimbabweans,” he said.
The country grant will support five complementary areas of intervention which are, disease surveillance and early warning, Laboratory systems, Health workforce development, Governance and emergency preparedness and Community engagement and innovation.
Led by the government of Zimbabwe, the project will be implemented by the African Development Bank Group, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), working with relevant ministries and other national and international partners.
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