Online Reporter
Peter Matika,[email protected]
The 12th edition of the three-day Zimbabwe’s uniformed forces health forum concluded on Friday with SADC allies in attendance, praising the country for its relentless efforts in combating HIV, AIDS, and other infectious diseases.
SADC Member States highlighted the continued need for awareness and cooperation in ensuring the safety of the region’s defence forces.
The conference was held at a local hotel and brought together senior military and health officials from across Southern Africa and beyond.
The conference was attended by delegates from SADC Member States, including Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, and Angola. The event also features representatives from East and West African nations such as Kenya and Nigeria.
Zambian Army Medical Services Director General, Brigadier General Amideos Nshikita, in an interview after the conference, expressed confidence in the initiative, saying it also promotes regional solidarity.
“Through collective, consolidated efforts, emphasise the critical imperative of tackling shared health challenges by prioritising two key pillars. Unwavering combat readiness and innovative research, which is in line with this year’s theme. We must, as a region, remain as a region vigilant against veterinary threats such as anthrax, alongside a spectrum of other invisible adversaries that will have befallen on our region,” said Brigadier General Nshikita.
Surgeon Commodore and director of Medical Services, Defence Headquarters, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ndubuisi Onwere, said the initiative must cascade across the continent and that he will make efforts in initiating the idea in Nigeria.
“We learnt a lot and this must be mirrored across the continent. It has been a wonderful experience to meet and share ideas with other African States,” he said.
