Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve in Victoria Falls
DESPITE facing significant global and local headwinds, including the recent withdrawal of direct United States aid, Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector has registered commendable progress in disease control, immunisation, and infrastructure development, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora has said.
Dr Mombeshora said the Government has been intensifying its efforts to build a resilient system, acknowledging the indispensable role of private healthcare funders as crucial partners in this endeavour.
He was speaking during the official opening of the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) Annual All Stakeholders Conference on Health 2025 at the conference centre here in Victoria Falls on Thursday.
The conference is running under the theme: “Promoting innovation to achieve an equitable and sustainable healthcare system.”
Dr Mombeshora said the sector is steadfastly navigating challenges through collaboration, innovation, and a renewed focus on primary healthcare.
“Over the past few years, we have witnessed significant strides in our healthcare sector, despite the global and local headwinds, these include the recent withdrawal of US aid,” said Dr Mombeshora.
“I am pleased to say that we have been intensifying our efforts in disease prevention and control, particularly in areas such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, where we have seen commendable progress in reducing incidence and mortality rates.”
The Minister highlighted the country’s successful immunisation programmes, which he described as a beacon of success, achieving high coverage rates and protecting children from preventable diseases.
A key pillar of the Government’s strategy, he noted, is strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure.
“The deployment of community health workers and the revitalisation of rural health centres are central to this strategy, bringing essential services closer to our people,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora also applauded AHFoZ for its role in the health ecosystem, saying that healthcare funders are not merely financial intermediaries but are in the business of health.
He specifically commended their initiatives to reduce waste through fraud awareness campaigns and the exploration of Value Based Care models to ensure member contributions yield better health outcomes and improved quality of life.
However, the Minister did not shy away from the persistent challenges stifling the sector.
He cited the rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes, and cancers, which demand a strategic shift towards preventive care and early diagnosis.
The brain drain of skilled healthcare professionals was also highlighted as a significant concern, impacting service delivery.
Dr Mombeshora revealed that the Government is actively working on retention and attraction strategies, including improving working conditions, providing continuous professional development, and exploring innovative remuneration models.
Looking forward, Dr Mombeshora said collaboration and innovation are the bedrock of a resilient health system.
He called for a truly symbiotic partnership where healthcare funders share valuable data on disease patterns and cost drivers to enhance national health planning.
“Imagine the power of aggregated data from AHFoZ members informing our public health interventions, allowing us to target resources more effectively and design evidence-based policies,” he said.
The potential for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in developing healthcare infrastructure, especially in underserved areas, was also outlined as an area the Government is actively exploring.
On innovation, Dr Mombeshora commended AHFoZ for its Annual Healthcare Innovation Workshop and stressed the transformative potential of digital health including telemedicine, electronic health records, and mobile health applications to bridge geographical divides and improve care.
