Story by Elroi Ngara
HARARE-THE Ministry of Health and Child Care, in partnership with CordAid and the World Bank, has officially marked the successful conclusion of a transformative five-year health services project, a multimillion-dollar initiative aimed at revitalising rural health infrastructure and improving health outcomes across Zimbabwe.
With a total investment of US$3.6 million, the project focused on upgrading 25 hospitals located primarily in remote and underserved districts.
The intervention significantly strengthened diagnostic capacity, enhanced patient safety, and modernised healthcare delivery systems all key enablers in advancing Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 goals.
Speaking during the official close-out ceremony, CordAid’s East and Southern Africa Regional Director, Ms Heleen Van Der Beek, emphasised the lasting value of the partnership.
“It is indeed the end of the project, but it is not the end of our partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. We will continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s health sector. Although the project began as a COVID-19 response, it evolved to address long-standing systemic gaps, particularly in rural hospitals that were among the hardest hit during the pandemic,” she said.
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Sleiman Kwidini, also reaffirmed government’s commitment to consolidating and expanding the gains made.
“The closure of the COVID-19 project phase does not mean the end of the programme. Instead, the Ministry of Health plans to continue and expand the project using domestic financing to sustain and grow the initiatives, especially in solarisation and refrigeration. The World Bank will continue funding other health projects in Zimbabwe, just not specifically for COVID-19,” Honourable Kwidini said.
The project’s outcomes are aligned with the national Vision 2030 agenda, which prioritises universal access to quality public services and resilient healthcare systems.
As Zimbabwe moves forward, stakeholders have pledged to ensure continuity and sustainability in health sector investment, particularly for marginalised communities.
