Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
THE country’s healthcare sector is set for a major uplift following a €4.3 million funding commitment from the European Union to establish a new National Public Health Institute.
The pledge was announced yesterday when a joint delegation from the World Health Organisation and the EU paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora at his offices in Harare.
The delegation, led by Dr Desta Tiruneh, WHO’s representative for Zimbabwe and Ms Anna Cichocka, the EU’s Head of Cooperation, held a closed-door meeting with Minister Mombeshora to discuss the details of the new initiative.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Minister Mombeshora stated that the Government is ready to work with the EU.
“We have just had a very important meeting, which was a courtesy call but brought good news to us as a country and also as Minister of Health and Child Care.
“Issues at stake concerned the establishment of a National Public Health Institute and we’ve got WHO here and members from the European Union. The good news is that members of the European Union have provided funds to help us establish the National Public Health Institute to the tune of about €4.3 million.”
The new institute is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats. He also revealed that Dr Raiva Simbi, director of Laboratory Services in his Ministry, had been appointed as the co-ordinator of the project.
“We will be working with this team to ensure that we operationalise the National Public Health Institute. It’s a very important institute that will help us shape our policy.”
EU’s Head of Cooperation, Ms Cichocka, noted the positive steps undertaken by the Ministry of Health.
“We are very happy to start this collaboration. We see already concrete actions being taken by the Ministry of Health and the hard work put in by our partners at WHO.”
Dr Tiruneh stated that the NPHI is a “very important addition” that will strengthen the country’s preparedness for health emergencies and major health challenges.
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