By Akanimo Sampson
In partnership with the European Union (EU), Zimbabwe is to build 24 new hospitals. Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, says the government has already engaged partners in the European Union (EU) for support in investment towards new health infrastructure as well as a health insurance scheme.
According to the minister, the government will work with the EU to come up with a hybrid model to manage resources.
Zimbabwe’s health sector has in the past seven years, received support amounting to $160 million from EU, which was administered through the multi-donor Health Development Fund. Additional support has also been extended through the Global Fund.
After a meeting with EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Timo Olkkonen, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care said their discussions focused on past and ongoing financial assistance.
“We covered a number of areas where assistance has been provided in various areas, but more important, is the issue of transparency and accountability. We want to address some of the shortfalls which were taking place in the past”, he said.
Chiwenga said EU has been providing support to Zimbabwe’s health programmes from as far back as 2006 adding that there were discussions on funding for new programmes.
The government also expressed commitment to foster transparency and accountability in the use of donor funding extended towards the country’s health sector to ensure continuity of programmes and establishment of new hospitals in Zimbabwe.
