Zimbabwe is increasingly turning to its diaspora to help rebuild and modernise the country’s health system, with authorities placing renewed focus on skills transfer, investment and global partnerships as part of efforts to strengthen service delivery.
Minister of Health and Child Care Douglas Mombeshora said engagement with Zimbabwean professionals abroad reflects a broader push to tap into expertise beyond the country’s borders.
“This visit is part of government’s effort to engage Zimbabweans wherever they are to listen to ideas, understand perspectives, and strengthen partnerships that contribute to national development, leaving no place and no one behind,” he said.
He said the health sector is entering a critical phase of transformation anchored on long-term policy frameworks.
“Zimbabwe’s health sector is currently undergoing an important phase of transformation… our goal is to build a modern, resilient, and people-centred health system that supports Zimbabwe’s broader vision of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” said Mombeshora.
The strategy focuses on key areas including workforce development, infrastructure upgrades and digital innovation.
“Set priorities include strengthening the health workforce, improving the quality of services, modernising infrastructure and equipment, expanding digital health solutions, strengthening medicines supply chains, and ensuring more sustainable financing for health,” he said.
Mombeshora described the diaspora as a critical pillar in achieving these goals, saying their contribution goes beyond remittances.
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“The Zimbabwean diaspora remains one of our greatest national assets. The skills, experience, and innovations you are exposed to every day are extremely valuable to Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said professionals abroad can contribute through multiple channels.
“Their contributions may come in many forms: mentorship of young clinicians, short-term clinical missions, institutional partnerships between hospitals and universities, telemedicine platforms, collaborative research, and innovations that improve service delivery,” he said, adding that investment in health infrastructure and technology is also being encouraged.
“Some of them were also thinking about investing in health facilities or technologies please know that the Ministry of Health will certainly welcome that conversation,” he said.
He added that ongoing reforms are aimed at creating an enabling environment for such partnerships.
“Government recognises that collaboration must be supported by a conducive environment… Zimbabwe is implementing reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business,” said Mombeshora.
Emphasising the role of citizens abroad in national development, he said “Zimbabweans are known for their resilience and ingenuity, but Zimbabwe needs their expertise, ideas and partnerships.”
He said the country’s future health system will depend on collective effort.
“The Government of Zimbabwe values its diaspora immensely and they remain an important part of our national development journey, and together we can build a stronger and more responsive health system for our people,” he said.
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