Outgoing UNICEF Country Representative has called on the government to spearhead initiatives in the health sector so as to create a viable sector which curbs the donor dependence syndrome.
Mr Reza Hossaini was speaking at the signing ceremony of a 42.9 million Euros grant availed by the European Union to support the country’s continued revitalisation of the health system in Chinhoyi last Friday.
“It should be remembered that a strong health system that can effectively address inadequacy in the fiscal space, reduce donor dependence and build innovative domestic financing can only be created with strong government ownership and leadership,” he said
“He added that the dwindling fiscal space has seen government contributing insignificant amounts to the health sector.
“Though its predecessor, the Health Trust Fund has made tremendous strides in health, the Health Development Fund faces formidable challenges. Constrains in the national fiscal space have led to stagnating government contribution to the health sector,” Mr Hossaini said.
Mr Hoassaini also applauded the European Union grant which was availed, through UNICEF saying the money will go a long way in mobilising the necessary resources needed to increase access to quality healthcare for mothers, children and adolescents.
“The Health Development Fund is geared to reinforce all the outcomes of health systems to ensure that high level coverage of high impact health interventions are maintained,” he said
Minister of Health, Dr David Parirenyatwa commended the European Union for its continued support to the country’s health system.
“Let me applaud the European Union for their continued dedication to the people of Zimbabwe through the significant technical and financial contributions they have made towards the revitalisation of the health sector.
“Zimbabwe’s health sector is slowly recovering from economic challenges which have made it difficult for many people, particularly women and children to access life saving health care,” said Dr Parirenyatwa
Minister Parirenyatwa acknowledged that due to the economic turndown, the country alone is not in a position to sustain the health system, rather he called on for partnerships with different stakeholders.
“While the country remains focused towards achieving the highest standard of health care and quality of life possible for all its citizens, we are cognisant of the fact that on our own we will not be able to achieve this mission but rather, a lot can be achieved through strong partnership and support from all health partners and involvement of all key stakeholders,” he said
He however remains optimistic that as the economy recovers, his ministry will works towards improving resources channeled to the health sector.
“ As the economy improves we will continue to lobby for more resources to be committed to health for health is important for the development of the country,” he said.
The 42.9 million Euros contribution goes towards the US$680 million that was pledged by the European Union and the governments of UK, Sweden, and Ireland as well as Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) to ensure equitable access to quality health services for women and children.
According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster (MICS) 2014, Zimbabwe has managed to reduce the maternal mortality ratio from 960/100 000 lives births in 2009 to 614/100 000 live births in 2014 and the child mortality ratio from 94/1 000 live births to 75/1 000 in 2014.
