Patricia Mashiri
The Japanese government has committed US$633 975 to boost access to safe, timely and affordable surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia care services in Manicaland and Matabeleland North provinces.
The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in partnership with the World Health Organisation with the funding being earmarked to support SOA care services for everyone in need, at all levels.
It will also help in capacity building of critical specialist health workers providing SOA services in the country, provide basic and critical SOA equipment and consumables at selected high-burden secondary-level health facilities, and strengthen national Health Management Information Systems to allow effective decision-making.
It is expected that a significant number of patients in need of surgical care services will have received high quality care by the end of 2023.
Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E Satoshi Tanaka said:
“Zimbabwe’s sustainable development and the attainment of its vision of a middle-income country by 2030 can only be assured if its citizens are healthy and have access to quality health care services. Japan will support Zimbabwe’s efforts to attain Universal Health Coverage by strengthening access to safe, timely and affordable SOA care, for which there is a dire need.”
The Permanent Secretary for MoHCC, Dr Jasper Chimedza, highlighted that his ministry is committed to ensuring that every person in need of SOA services receive quality and timely care at all levels of the healthcare system. In this regard, the SOA care system is currently being strengthened, as articulated in the first ever National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Strategy, which was launched in September 2022.
“The MoHCC will maintain its stewardship in making progress towards achieving the highest possible level of health and quality of life for every person in Zimbabwe. The funding will also contribute to the ongoing efforts to address some of the emerging challenges of Non-Communicable Diseases which include conditions amenable to surgical care,” said Dr Chimedza.
Therefore, supplementary budget funding from Japan will make a significant contribution in the delivery of quality surgical care services in Zimbabwe. Essential surgical and anaesthetic care is an indispensable component of UHC.
WHO Country Representative, Professor Jean-Marie Dangou reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to support the MoHCC in strengthening the health system and implementation of the National Health Strategy for which delivery of safe and quality SOA care are among its priorities. He appreciated the support of development partners for the implementation of Zimbabwe’s SOA Strategy to accelerate Zimbabwe’s progress towards attainment of Universal Health Care.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing challenges in providing SOA care services owing to the lack of surgical equipment, medicines, consumables, and sundries essential for SOA care services. This has seen in a decline in essential surgical procedures being performed in hospitals across the country, resulting in long waiting lists for the services.
An estimated 845 631 people are expected to access emergency surgical services by end of 2023 through the proposed interventions.
Rutendo MazhinduZim Now ReporterThe much-anticipated Mbudzi Interchange project, a significant infrastructure development aimed at easing traffic congestion in Harare, is nearing completion. As of n..
ZimbabweZIFA Congress members snubbed his freebies and now he attacks his rivalsOscar J JekeZim Now WriterTemba Mliswa has come out to move for the elimination of all viable rivals in the Zimbabwe Football ..
ZimbabwePhilemon JambayaZim Now EditorIn a bid to recover outstanding debts, the Bulawayo City Council has taken the drastic measure of cutting off water supplies to 59 schools in the city. This move has sp..
Zimbabwe
Leave Comments