According to Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, the government has already engaged partners in the European Union for support in investment towards new health infrastructure as well as a health insurance scheme, including the construction of 24 new hospitals.
The minister further mentioned that the government would 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 US$160M from the European Union (EU), which was administered through the multi-donor Health Development Fund. Additional support has also been extended through the Global Fund.
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Zimbabwe to build 24 new hospitals
Speaking after a meeting with the 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.
VP Chiwenga said the EU had 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.
