Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWE’s pharmaceutical sector is set for major growth as the country courts Iran’s pharmaceutical companies to invest in the country’s healthcare sector.
Led by Vice President General (rtd) Dr Constantino Chiwenga who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, the Zimbabwean delegation comprising officials from the ministry and specialists in the medical field is in Tehran, Iran on the invitation of the host government as the two countries look for ways to boost its pharmaceutical sector.
Day one of the official visit saw the delegation attending an exhibition set up by some of the country’s medical equipment manufacturing companies.
“I am here at the invitation of my counterpart, the Iranian minister of health. It was important that we come here and we finalise the discussions which we have had before. Early this year we had a team from here that visited Zimbabwe and we have been in discussion on areas of cooperation.
“We have come here to look into their pharmaceutical companies because they are both good at equipment and drug manufacturing including vaccines. What we have seen is exactly what we would want in our hospitals, the type of equipment is world-class so we will continue discussing with them. So far they have shown interest in coming to set up manufacturing plants in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Chiwenga.
Vice President Chiwenga is also expected to meet with Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Mokhber and the Minister of Health and Medical Education, Professor Bahram Eynollahi.
Earlier this year Iran sent a team of 12 medical specialists from various disciplines who were in the country for two weeks to conduct surgeries at United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital as well as share new techniques and technologies with their Zimbabwean counterparts.
