|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
|
By Elvis Dumba
Mhondoro – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hailed the public-private partnerships for strengthening the country’s health sector.
He said this in Mhondoro, where he officially commissioned Zimplats Mine’s Mubaira Hospital Project.
President Mnangagwa said the government is committed to scaling up responses towards quality health services provision in the country.
“This commissioning of the Mubaira Hospital Projects, which were funded by Zimplats, is timely as it comes soon after the celebration of World Health Day, held under the theme: “Health for All’. Further, it was only last week when I was in Kadoma to commission another health facility. These projects attest to the importance of public-private partnerships in our quest to realize health and the overall well-being of our people as outlined in our Constitution and the National Development Strategy.
“I commend Zimplats for being a consistent partner in the implementation of policies, programs, and projects undertaken by the Second Republic. I recall that in 2018 and 2020, I was at Kadoma General Hospital and Gutu Hospital, respectively, to commission and hand over projects facilitated by Zimplats,” he said.
Zimplats, through its Corporate Social Responsibility program, constructed and equipped a new theatre, staff accommodation, and laundry facility as well as a maternity ward.
“These interventions are most appreciated and will go a long way towards enhancing access by our communities to quality health services and our country’s targets for achieving Universal Health Coverage. I congratulate the Board and Management of Zimplats for a job well done. Makorokoto, Amhlope,” the President said to hundreds of people gathered for the event
President Mnangagwa said health worker training has been scaled up with over 1000 health institutions furnished with solar-powered backups across the country.
“My government is scaling up health worker training by increasing the number of training schools as well as the intake of trainees. Primary Care Nurse training has since been re-introduced. Meanwhile, I commend our Village Health workers who are on the frontline of health delivery in rural areas.
“The acquisition of ambulances, medical consumables, drugs, and other accessories is ongoing. Additionally, solar systems for power backup have been installed in over 1000 health facilities throughout the country. As we appreciate this generous gesture by Zimplats, I want to challenge other private sector companies to take a leaf from the outstanding work we are witnessing here today,” the President said.
As a result of financing such facilities, ZIMPLATS is among the leading private sector companies in transferring knowledge, technology, and capacity building in the health sector. Over and above this, the projects implemented by Zimplats at Mhondoro Hospital and across other provinces are critical building blocks for improving the overall quality of life of the people.
The company was further applauded for rolling out impactful community wellness interventions under its Local Enterprise Development Program.
President Mnangagwa encouraged the platinum mining giant to continue with its corporate social responsibilities through its Local Enterprise Program in developing more innovative programs that guarantee world-class health facilities.
He said interventions in the health systems must incorporate people’s needs and priorities while complementing the thrust of the Devolution and Decentralisation Agenda, that is being championed by the Second Republic.
“To further help accelerate the achievement of outcomes of universal health coverage, stakeholders in the health and pharmaceutical sector must also develop and adopt supply chains that are responsive to community needs and the overall national development ethos. I urge our communities to remain alive to the need for maintaining healthy lifestyles, exercising, eating well, and good personal hygiene,” President Mnangagwa added.