Online Reporter
Health Reporter
ZIMBABWE is accelerating efforts to strengthen its health security, disease surveillance and emergency preparedness systems.
This comes as a high-level Government delegation is undertaking a look-and-learn visit to the Zambia National Public Health Institute in Lusaka.
The three-day visit is part of preparations to establish the Public Health Institute of Zimbabwe, expected to become a central pillar in coordinating essential public health functions, strengthening surveillance systems and enhancing evidence-based decision-making.
Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr Aspect Maunganidze, said the visit reflects Government’s commitment to building a strong and functional national public health institute.
“The Ministry is delighted that the recently inaugurated Steering Committee hit the ground running and embarked on a look-and-learn visit to Zambia, where our neighbours have made significant strides in establishing a strong public health institute.
“The Public Health Institute of Zimbabwe will serve as the engine that strengthens health security and preparedness, enhances surveillance, unifies evidence for decision-making, and coordinates our Essential Public Health Functions. In simple terms, PHIZ is where science, strategy, prevention, and preparedness will meet,” said Dr Maunganidze.
The multi-sectoral delegation is led by Dr Maunganidze and includes the public health adviser to the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva, the interim PHIZ coordinator, Dr Raiva Simbi, and senior officials from various ministries and Government agencies.
Their participation underscores a whole-of-Government approach to establishing a legally anchored, sustainable and effective national public health institute.
The visit aims to draw practical lessons from Zambia’s experience in establishing and operationalising ZNPHI, with priority areas including governance and legal frameworks, institutional administration, core public health functions, multi-sectoral coordination, partnerships and networks, and sustainability, including human resource development.
The delegation was officially welcomed by Zambia’s Minister of Health, Dr Elijah Muchima, who highlighted that ZNPHI operates with operational autonomy under the strategic oversight of the Office of the Minister of Health, an arrangement he said promoted efficiency while ensuring alignment with national health priorities.
Dr Muchima also emphasised the value of South-to-South cooperation, noting that such engagements allow countries of the Global South to share experiences and innovations that strengthen health systems and improve preparedness for public health emergencies.
