Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
CABINET has approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates to enhance cooperation in the health sector.
The agreement seeks to establish a collaborative framework to support the development and strengthening of healthcare systems in both countries covering key areas such as primary healthcare including reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health as well as immunisation programmes.
Under the agreement, the two nations will also work together in secondary healthcare, focusing on specialist services, patient referrals, laboratory services, forensic pathology and blood services.
Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the MoU will strengthen their healthcare systems and enhance the wellbeing of people in both countries.
“The scope of cooperation encompasses various healthcare domains, including primary care, which comprises collaborative efforts in reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health, as well as immunisation programs, and secondary care, which comprises specialist care and patient referral services, laboratory services, forensic pathology, and blood services.”
The cooperation also extends to health system resilience, with a focus on preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.
Dr Muswere said the MoU also includes health financing, where Zimbabwe and the UAE will explore innovative funding models and share financial expertise to improve healthcare delivery.
Factors in the agreement included: Health system resilience, whose key aspect is preparing for and responding to public health emergencies; health financing, which enables both countries to explore innovative funding models, share financial expertise, and optimise resource allocation to achieve better health outcomes; human resources, which focuses on developing and managing healthcare professionals; and Health Technology, which aims to leverage health technology to improve healthcare delivery, enhance patient care, and streamline healthcare services.
“Through this MoU, both countries are poised to strengthen their healthcare systems, improve health outcomes, and enhance the well-being of their populations by working together on the basis of mutual respect, equality and shared benefit.”
