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Dr Constantino Chiwenga Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care
Right from the onset of the New Dispensation, His Excellency The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Dr ED Mnangagwa, tasked Cabinet to think outside the box and to come up with tangible deliverables with a positive direct bearing on people’s lives.
It was not only an idle call to action, but a call which he went further to buttress by superintending the drawing up of strategies and interventions with which Government has been and hopes to continue rebuilding the country.
All these strategies, sector by sector, are meant to feed into the broader national vision whereupon Zimbabwe must rapidly develop into an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
The health sector is no exception.
Having had the privilege and honour to be assigned the enormous responsibility of being Minister of Health and Child Care — since August 4, 2020 — over and above my role of Vice President, the year ending next week has been a year of hard work of delivering.
Under the capable leadership of His Excellency The President, the year 2022 has been a year in which the ministry has been seized with the task to build, modernise, equip and rejuvenate our health services to standards consistent with an upper middle income economy.
This, dear compatriots, is no mean task.
It’s a task with which we are priming our health services to a level where we will halt all outbound medical tourism, promote regional and continental inbound medical tourism and most importantly give our populace the comfort and confidence they deserve in our health services.
This is the journey we sought to quicken our step towards its achievement in 2022 and for which we are confident we are getting closer by the day, albeit with obvious challenges.
As per my first speech as the Minister of Health and Child Care on September 7, 2020 — among the first tasks that I was given as I superintended over the ministry, was to restructure the ministry in line with international best practices.
The main objective of the restructuring of the ministry and agencies is to achieve efficiency, effectiveness, integrity, as well as integration of the Ministry of Health and Child Care with national institutions through collapsing insular and in some cases fiefdom tendencies which limited and curtailed synergies.
This strategy is informed by “Whole Government, Whole Society” approach to challenges afflicting the country.
In this regard, the bottom line is to have a national health system that ensures that everyone has equitable access to healthcare services of sufficient quality, again as per the dictates of another key Government strategy of leaving no one and no place behind.
To achieve these broad-based results, the year 2022 saw the Ministry of Health and Child Care coming up with a number of projects and strategies.
COVID-19
Despite having grand and long-term plans, Zimbabwe — under the Second Republic, was faced with arguably the biggest public health threat the country has ever witnessed, that of Covid-19 pandemic.
Faced with this challenge, Government, with the help of its partners mounted a concerted response right from 2020 when we recorded our first ever Covid-19 case. By 2022, the Covid-19 threat had not recede and our key priority was to consolidate on our gains from 2021 and ensure we keep this threat at bay.
While it is disheartening that we lost several of our compatriots to this killer pandemic, it is worth noting that together as Zimbabweans and with support from our partners, especially the People’s Republic of China, we have continued to mount a coordinated response to combat the virus.
Our response has and continues to court international admiration and commendation including from United Nations agencies and several other international development organisations.
The Covid-19 threat is still lingering and I urge you compatriots to remain vigilant, adhering to all Government mitigation protocols — some of which I appreciate are an inconvenience, as well as taking up vaccination for those who are yet to get their jabs.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Zimbabwe, as is the case with most African countries and the developing world in general, has an infrastructure legacy challenge which primarily dates back to colonial injustices and marginalisation.
The infrastructure development gap stretches from rural areas, resettlement areas, urban areas and even to major hospitals where gaps to our health facilities have to be fixed to get to levels consistent with an upper-middle income economy as prescribed by His Excellency The President.
To cover this gap, Government this year undertook several health infrastructure projects.
The under-construction Lupane Provincial Hospital in Matabeleland Province is the biggest beneficiary of this infrastructure thrust by Government.
This year we managed to rejig the scope of the Hospital which will now, on completion, become a first of its kind institution to cater for all its staff accommodation needs as well as halt all referrals particularly to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.
In addition to offering all expert services Lupane Provincial Hospital, which is one good example of the Second Republic’s leaving no place behind, will now become a Doctors Training Institution in partnership with Lupane State University.
As per the “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngavanikazi balo” approach, Government this year released funding through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development which saw construction works gathering pace towards completion and operationalisation of Lupane Hospital whose development has stalled for several years.
In line with the dictates of Universal Health Coverage which entail that we must take health services right to people’s doorsteps, this year we managed to construct a total of 38 new clinics and 10 health posts.
Compatriots, it must be noted that one of the challenges afflicting our health delivery system is reluctance to seek medical attention. By taking these services closer to our people we are also encouraging the culture of early medical consultation.
While we celebrate the 48 medical facilities, it is important that I single out the Stoneridge Health Centre in Harare South which was commissioned by His Excellency The President this year.
This facility is a model whose services and architecture we believe will give our people the best quality at their local clinic and, going forward, we will replicate it in several districts.
As a ministry, we were once again honoured to have His Excellency The President commissioning the hand-over of the new-state-of-the-art Natpharm Warehouse which was done through a grant from the ever friendly People’s Republic of China.
This “majestic warehouse,” as per the words of His Excellency, will go a long way in stabilising drug supply throughout the country thereby facilitating attainment of rapid economic transformation.
The need for such a facility was amplified by the global medicinal supply disruption occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, and it being operational now means Zimbabwe is now insulated from any such disruptions in the future.
Our expectation is that we will now experience a gradual increase and ultimately filling up of these shelves with “Made in Zimbabwe” pharmaceutical products, in line with our national Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Strategy.
This is a frontier for which we have laid seeds and will be vigorously pushed going forward.
It must also be noted that we managed to finalise the construction of other warehouses and medical storage facilities in 2022.
The year also saw us making huge progress in renovating eight medical laboratories and two mortuaries in Midlands and Matabeleland North provinces, in addition to two theatres that are getting a makeover in Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East provinces.
Major renovations were also done at 29 medical facilities which include clinics and hospitals all in a bid to give them the level of service that our dear patients deserve.
We also managed to drill 40 boreholes at medical facilities dotted around the country over and above a concerted electrification program through which we will soon make sure that all our health points have access to power.
In the power provision roadmap, in 2022 we continued with the implementation of the solar-for-health-initiative which is also being supported by development partners.
To date, we have managed to install solar energy at 1 047 health facilities out of a target of 1860 which translates to more than 56 percent of the initial target. It must be noted that this progress has mainly been registered on facilities in rural areas.
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Dear compatriots, the importance of modern-day scientific equipment in an efficient health delivery system cannot be overemphasised.
For us to have a modern healthcare system we want, there is need for our hospitals to have all essential and state-of- the-art medical equipment. Minus the said equipment, our dedicated personnel manning these facilities will be curtailed and unable to deliver the services our people deserve.
It is for this reason that in 2022 Government continued to prioritise the availing of essential medical equipment.
I am pleased to report that six CT (computerized tomography) Scan machines at our General Hospitals were repaired and are servicing our people. The MRI machine at Sally Mugabe Hospital that had not been functioning was also serviced.
In addition, also Government also procured an additional MRI which has since been delivered and will be installed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals at the earliest possible time.
We also procured and installed 400 Vital Signs Monitors which were installed at all Central, Provincial, General, District and Mission Hospitals throughout the country. 200 Syringe Pumps were also procured in this year and so far 25 have since been delivered.
We also took delivery of 65 multi-parameter monitors, 37 dental x-ray machines. We are still waiting for the delivery of dental chairs which are important to the deployment of these machines.
Still on dental care, we bought and took delivery of 24 dental autoclaves. As soon as all this equipment is installed and made fully operational, we will experience a marked improvement in the services that our patients get from our facilities throughout the country.
2022 also saw Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Sally Mugabe each getting an Ophthalmic Operating Microscope, both bought by Government in line with the directive by His Excellency The President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Partners also came to our aid with a donation of one ophthalmic operating microscope which has been installed at Bindura Hospital.
As we strive to eradicate neonatal mortality, Government bought Cardio Topography (Foetal Monitors) which have since been distributed to Gwanda, Mpilo, Sally Mugabe, Chitungwiza, Parirenyatwa, Binga and United Bulawayo Hospitals.
AMBULANCE SERVICES
As you will appreciate, an efficient ambulance system is a key anchor to a thriving health system. Government is alive to this obvious fact and we have thus created an Ambulance Services Directorate which is part of the newly streamlined Ministry of Health and Child Care structure.
In future, this directorate will be complemented by staff from the Accident and Emergency Nursing School which we opened in Chivhu last year.
Graduates from the school will be equipped with emergency service specialties to help in the provision of emergency services. Furthermore, crews – especially nurses will receive specialist training aimed at equipping the ambulance services with specialist personnel that will give our patients the best ambulance experience.
Government has also opened up to public/private partnerships in equipping this department and we are happy with the private sector support we got in 2022.
In the year ending next week, Government purchased and got delivery of 32 all-terrain ambulances, complete with installed state of the art emergency equipment that is aimed at giving the patient a near hospital experience as they get transferred to the actual hospital.
We also received a donation of 12 ambulances from partners and these will go a long way in equipping our ambulance services.
I was thrilled to learn that, ACE Air and Ambulance — a local Air Ambulances services company — was nominated among three finalists by the International Travel and Health Insurance Journal (ITIJ) for the prestigious Global Air Ambulance Company of the year 2022 award.
Their nomination was based on their having surpassed global service excellence, showcasing distinction and innovation which is in line with the Second Republic’s thrust of excellence and serving with distinction.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Human capital is by far the most important asset in our health services. Zimbabwe has been a global pace-setter in the training of best health professionals. No wonder we continue to be a target of hawkish economies that are always on the prowl to snap up our professionals.
It’s a situation that gives us discomfort in that we cannot continue training for them to benefit and our hope is that, through United Nations platforms, we will find modalities to help us recoup on our training investment.
Notwithstanding these setbacks, Government forged ahead with the prioritisation of its health sector human capital base.
This year, the Health Services Board (HSB) engaged all qualified health professionals willing to take up employment within the public service.
Through our excellent nurse training programs, we increased the number of nurses and other health professionals undergoing different health sector training programs in our schools.
As part of efforts to improve patient care, we snapped up 556 students for the PCN training program.
Following the successful separation of conjoined twins in a delicate operation that casts international attention on us in 2021. I was heartened by His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa’s honouring of all members of staff that participated in the delicate operation.
To appreciate these dedicated professionals, His Excellency bestowed the Medal for Meritorious Service on them and on their hospital.
As we close the year, ladies and gentleman, allow me to — on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Child Care and indeed on behalf of Government to express my sincere gratitude to these man and women in the healthcare service who toil day in and day out in service to our great nation.
INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM
As we march towards an advanced and modern health system that will give us the comfort and quality of life we deserve, the best way to gauge our progress is through third part assessment.
This third-part assessment gets even weightier when it comes from international organisations accredited to the United Nations.
Compatriots, I was particularly encouraged with commendation we got from organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the manner in which we are managing our health services under the capable leadership of His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa.
This year, we were chosen to host high level international summits on health like the 22nd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa which convenes in 2023 (ICASA 2023). We are also billed to hold the High Level International Consultative Conference Leading to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD 30).
The offer to host the latter came after our presentation in Thailand during the International Conference on Family Planning, which drew commendation from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as being one that shows Zimbabwe is on course to achieve set targets, and an example, which other nations can learn from.
Back home the ministry was recognised with an award for the best Healthcare stand at the 2022 Zimbabwe International Trade Fare (ZITF).
Dear compatriots, Government remains resolute to reduce the burden of Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease.
Let me reiterate the need to continue addressing health determinants. Food and Nutrition Security remains a priority. I am excited that the year was characterised by successful programmes designed to ensure food and nutrition security.
Empowered communities remain a catalytic vehicle towards universal health access. Quality education and empowerment programmes by Government have been instrumental in attaining good health and wellness.
Let me urge you all to adopt healthy lifestyles as this is key in improving our quality of life. Healthy eating, regular exercises and good mental health initiatives must be prioritised.
CONCLUSION
Compatriots, as we close the year amid several success stories some of which I have highlighted, this does not mean that 2022 was a bed of roses for the health services sector. We continue to grapple with a number of legacy challenges most of which trace their origins to colonial imbalances and deprivation.
However, our progress under the Second Republic give us the energy to face our challenges head on, with confidence that we can achieve the goals we desire.
We are grateful for the guidance we continue to get from His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa and we can never thank him enough for his dedication to duty in pushing the national agenda.
Let me also take this opportunity to wish you a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2023 filled with good health.
Online Reporter