Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke in Geneva, Switzerland
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora is leading a delegation from Zimbabwe’s health sector this week at the 79th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, where global leaders are meeting to discuss major health priorities affecting countries worldwide.
The high-level gathering has brought together ministers of health, policymakers, development partners and technical experts to deliberate on issues ranging from pandemic preparedness and universal health coverage to sustainable financing, climate-related health threats and access to medicines.
Zimbabwe’s participation comes at a time when the country is intensifying efforts to strengthen its healthcare delivery systems, improve disease surveillance, expand access to essential medicines and build resilient health institutions capable of responding to emerging public health threats.
Dr Mombeshora is accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, including Health Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze and other technical experts.
The Zimbabwean delegation is engaging in a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines of the assembly aimed at strengthening cooperation with international partners and mobilising support for key health programmes.
Among the major issues under discussion at this year’s assembly are global pandemic preparedness frameworks, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance and the need for stronger investment in primary healthcare systems.
This year’s World Health Assembly is being held under growing calls for stronger international cooperation in addressing health inequalities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries that continue to face multiple public health and economic challenges.
