Govt Orders Private Health Providers to Submit Service Data

The Government has resolved that all health institutions, including private healthcare providers, must submit statistics on service delivery and performance to the Ministry of Health and Child Care in a move aimed at strengthening national health planning, accountability and evidence-based decision-making.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the Cabinet resolution would ensure that national health indicators capture the contribution of all healthcare providers, regardless of whether services are delivered through public, private or mission institutions.

He was speaking at The Avenues Clinic School of Nursing graduation ceremony, where he also underscored the need for increased investment in specialist nursing education to strengthen Zimbabwe's healthcare workforce.

Dr Mombeshora said private healthcare institutions had made significant contributions to the country's health sector through service delivery, specialist care, training, infrastructure development and investment, but much of their work had not been adequately reflected in national health statistics.

“Cabinet has resolved that all health institutions in Zimbabwe, including private health providers, should report their health statistics, service delivery activities and relevant performance information,” he said.

The decision would strengthen coordination across the health sector and provide Government with a more comprehensive picture of the country's healthcare needs and achievements.

However, the Minister acknowledged that the reporting framework and template were still being developed, adding that Government was open to engaging healthcare providers to address practical concerns.

“Our intention is to develop a practical and effective system that captures the necessary information without imposing unnecessary burdens on institutions,” he said.

He emphasised that Zimbabwe needed to approach healthcare delivery as one coordinated system, with every institution playing a role in improving the health and well-being of the population.

The Avenues School of Nursing has so far trained 185 intensive care nurses and 162 operating theatre nurses, bringing the total number of specialists trained in the two disciplines to 347.

This year, the institution expanded its training portfolio with the introduction of post-basic specialist training in oncology and palliative care.

The Avenues Clinic Managing Director, Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndhlovu, said the expansion reflected the clinic's continued investment in developing nursing competencies and responding to the changing demands of healthcare delivery.

“Today, therefore, is about much more than receiving a certificate. It is a celebration of our continued investment in healthcare, the advancement of specialist nursing practice, and our collective responsibility to build a stronger healthcare system for Zimbabwe.

“The clinic also contributes approximately US$200,000 annually towards its postgraduate nursing school,” she said.

The graduation ceremony highlighted the importance of partnerships between Government, private healthcare providers, training institutions and professional bodies in developing a skilled nursing workforce capable of responding to the country's evolving healthcare needs.