The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora told delegates that Zimbabwe’s health system remains the backbone of national development, stressing that investing in the health workforce is investing in the country’s prosperity and improved health outcomes.
“The outcomes of this meeting must therefore be action-oriented, measurable, and adequately resourced. We must emerge with a strengthened accountability framework that clearly defines responsibilities, timelines, financing commitments, and monitoring mechanisms. Zimbabwe has demonstrated resilience and determination in navigating complex health challenges over the years. With continued unity of purpose, strategic partnerships, and sustained investment in our people, I am confident that we can build the strong, motivated, and future-ready health workforce our nation requires. The health workforce is the backbone of our health system and one of the most important investments any nation can make. By investing in our health workers, we are investing in the health, productivity, and prosperity of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Kudakwashe Mnangagwa highlighted government’s continued commitment to strengthening human capital investment despite fiscal constraints.
“Treasury has taken a bold action to back our verbal commitments with comprehensive resources. Out of the 5 284 health sector posts allocated in 2025, approximately 3 700 health workers have already been recruited and deployed. Now, I am pleased to formally announce that Treasury has approved 8 785 new health worker posts for 2026. Now, to show our commitment to immediate implementation, I’m happy to report that Treasury concurrence for the 2026 financial framework that will be coming, will be finalized this week, so the Health Services Commission will have immediate clearance to proceed with recruitment. Now, there were some concerns that were raised on the Q1 of 2026 disbursement speeds, but the broader trajectory, as has been pointed out through the presentations, has been good. I mean, we look at the compact activities rising from 48% in the first year to approximately 66% in 2025. We’re looking to finish strong in 2026, and any subsequent appendages to this end. Coming to the workforce Treasury is actively looking at non-monetary incentives, including improving fiscal working conditions, staff accommodation, career development, and providing medical equipment. We also are looking at phased support for village health workers. Our 21 000 village health workers are the bedrock of primary health care in rural areas. While full and immediate payroll absorption destabilizes our fiscal framework, we are making steady progress. By the end of 2025, our government successfully absorbed 3 500 village health care workers onto the national payroll. Innovative financing to sustainably expand support. We are exploring re-influenced health taxes. Moving forward, we intend to evaluate the support of the village health care workers in the next three years. We will continue to work with the government to ensure that we have the necessary support for the village health care workers,” he said.
“I think the fact that everybody is here following a long effort to bring this event together and to bring the annual meeting and dialogue together is really important. So, looking forward, I think it is building on that and continuing the collaboration, continuing the good work,” a participant said.
“What is really important from our perspective is the sustainability of effort and that it continues and that the mark of success is the indicators that we’re already seeing and that they continue and that, as development partners, we can be part of that journey, but mirroring a little bit what the government wants to achieve, what the people of Zimbabwe want to achieve,” another participant said.
The dialogue is expected to produce practical recommendations that will strengthen the country’s health workforce investment framework and support on-going efforts to improve healthcare delivery across Zimbabwe.
