Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
GENEVA – ZIMBABWE has launched a series of urgent interventions to stabilise the public health system, with a particular focus on the accelerated procurement of essential medicines and early release of funds for critical medical supplies.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, acknowledged the pressing shortage of medicines in public hospitals, noting that current national stock levels stand at 22%, significantly below the 60% target.
“There are issues of shortages of medicine, especially in our central hospitals. That can only be addressed by having enough financial resources to cover those medicines which are in short supply. When we put in orders, some of those medicines have to be manufactured. Our hospitals are fragile, yes, but we are making progress. We are improving our supplies, and we hope and wish we could do it at a faster pace but we are making headway,” he said.
The Minister further indicated that the procurement process had previously been slow, but the government is now actively engaging both local and international pharmaceutical suppliers to fast-track deliveries. Two major suppliers have already received funding commitments to expedite the process.
“Some suppliers have delayed deliveries because they manufacture medicines only upon order. We are now working with Treasury to ensure funds are disbursed early before the situation becomes dire,” Dr Mombeshora added.
The Government is also prioritising the procurement of medical oxygen, a key requirement in emergency and intensive care units across the country.
The stabilisation programme forms part of a broader health sector reform strategy under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who recently signed multi-million-dollar cooperation agreements with Belarus.
The agreements cover the refurbishment and modernisation of public hospitals, the supply of modern medical equipment, training of healthcare personnel, and Infrastructure upgrades aimed at long-term sustainability.
The modernisation programme will begin with Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, with plans to roll out the initiative to other major referral centres.
The government remains committed to transforming Zimbabwe’s health institutions into resilient, specialist service providers capable of delivering high-quality and accessible care to all citizens.
