Taking the Rights Path: Strengthening Zimbabwe's Health Delivery System

By Hamu Madzedze recently in Rusape

Online Health Editor-Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora says taking the rights path towards healthcare requires a robust and integrated health delivery system anchored on the availability of skilled health workers and the requisite machinery and medicines.

Speaking during the World AIDS Day Commemorations in Rusape ,Dr Mombeshora said they are putting in place several initiatives to strengthen the country's health system.

"We have developed the Health Workforce Strategy (2023-2030) which is a comprehensive plan to strengthen the healthcare workforce, have heightened monitoring of Mpox and enhanced surveillance to prevent the spread of Mpox" said Dr Mombeshora.

Minister Mombeshora added that they are also building Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems aimed at creating a more resilient healthcare system in the face of climate change.

"The ministry is also bolstering resilience against Cholera with a focus on measures to prevent and respond to cholera outbreaks and provision of air and road ambulances for purposes of expanding emergency medical services"highlighted the health minister

Dr Mombeshora pointed out that despite these efforts, financing the response remains a significant challenge.

"The Ministry acknowledges the need to increase domestic resources and explore innovative solutions, given the expected reduction in donor funding and to address this, the Ministry is engaging in discussions with the National AIDS Council, local stakeholders, and international partners to develop a sustainability plan" said Dr Mombeshora.

He also said as the country commemorates the World AIDS Day ,government recognises the importance of maintaining the continuum of care as the country works towards achieving fast-track targets among children.

"My Ministry has intensified efforts to initiate pregnant mothers infected with Hepatitis B on Tenofovir, preventing transmission to their babies.

Minister Mombeshora added that they are also providing Hepatitis B birth dose vaccination to all infants.

"Through our test and treat approach, all individuals who have tested HIV positive have been initiated on antiretroviral therapy, achieving viral load suppression" he said.

Doctor Mombeshora highlighted that his ministry has taken deliberate steps to protect the rights of children through scaling up essential services.

"We have trained staff, implemented nucleic acid testing of infants at facilities, and provided child-friendly antiretroviral therapy that tastes better and dissolves faster," said Dr Mombeshora.

Minister Mombeshora also said that children are also a priority population for viral load monitoring at health facilities.

"To support this, the Ministry has increased the number of sites offering point-of-care for Early Infant Diagnosis to over 150 facilities for faster delivery of results for HIV-exposed infants" Dr Mombeshora said

He noted that scores of community adolescent treatment supporters have been trained and deployed across the country to assist their peers in remaining on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and adhering to clinic visits for follow-ups.

Above : Health and Child Care Minister,Dr Douglas Mombeshora touring one of the exhibition stands at the World AIDS Day Commemorations.

"Furthermore, the Ministry is prioritizing vaccination of children regardless of their HIV status during ongoing vaccination campaigns, including the Polio vaccination. Outreach and follow-up interventions have also been scaled up to ensure that all children receive essential services" However Dr Mombeshora urged people to remain vigilant in order to minimize cases of defaulting and drug resistance, while addressing associated non-communicable diseases.

"To optimize treatment outcomes, my Ministry has strengthened CD4 screening and screening for advanced HIV disease among newly diagnosed individuals and those returning to care" said the health minister.

Dr Mombeshora also pointed out that they are also conducting additional screening for Tuberculosis and Cryptococcal Meningitis.

"As we take the rights path and promote upholding of rights, we must understand that rights come with responsibilities, it is each one of us' responsibility to access and utilize HIV and health services"added Dr Mombeshora.

Meanwhile the National AIDS Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Bernard Madzima said the World AIDS Day Commemorations serve as a reminder of the need to remain committed to preventing new HIV infections and providing essential services to all people living with HIV.

"We also renew and sharpen our resolve to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030."said Dr Madzima

He added that this year's theme 'Take the Rights Path, My Health, My Rights, Our Responsibility is intended to ensure that we champion the right to health by addressing the inequalities that hinder progress towards ending AIDS.

"Even though our response to HIV has recorded tremendous progress and achieved the 95-95-95 targets, we continue to record new infections and people dying of AIDS" he said

The CEO also highlighted that over 15,000 new HIV infections and over 17,000 AIDS deaths were recorded in 2023, serving as a stark reminder that the epidemic remains vicious.

"We therefore have to continue to provide leadership, harmonise and align the response in line with local and global standards and expectations to achieve and maintain epidemic control."Dr Madzima said

He reiterated their commitment towards scaling up prevention and treatment services, so that everyone has access to them, in particular adolescent boys and girls, young women, sex workers and other vulnerable groups.

"In recognition of the fact that HIV is associated with Tuberculosis, various non-communicable diseases, drug use, disabilities and mental health among others, the National AIDS Council and various partners have begun integrating these diseases and vulnerabilities into the response "he said

Dr Madzima said that having achieved the 95-95-95 targets and epidemic control,the country's response to HIV has now entered the sustainability phase.

"We have to ensure that we sustain the gains we have recorded are not derailed" said Dr Madzima.