Zimbabwe is taking bold steps to fortify its health system in the face of escalating public health threats, drawing on strong partnerships with Africa CDC, WHO, UNICEF, and World Vision.
Speaking at the executive training session on Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM), Health Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora emphasized the urgency of reinforcing national response systems amid ongoing cholera, polio, and mpox outbreaks. He highlighted how Zimbabwe is leveraging support from international partners to operationalize eight subnational Public Health Emergency Operation Centres, noting that the country is well aligned with the Lusaka Call to Action, which advocates for improved health emergency coordination across Africa.
Participants at the training session on Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) pose for photos
Echoing the Minister’s sentiments, Dr. Matthew Tut of Africa CDC pointed out that African health systems remain under-resourced and strained by a surge in emergencies, worsened by declining external funding. He commended Zimbabwe for making progress towards establishing functional public health emergency centers, describing them as a cornerstone of the continent’s health security framework. Dr. Tut emphasized that tackling health crises demands coordinated efforts from governments, development partners, and communities, reinforcing the importance of Zimbabwe’s multi-sectoral approach.
UNICEF Deputy Representative Zeinab Adam stressed the unpredictable nature of public health emergencies and called for robust investment in routine immunization and frontline health workers. She applauded Zimbabwe’s local health teams for their resilience in responding to recurring cholera outbreaks and reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting child health, water and sanitation, and psychosocial interventions during crises.
Representing WHO, Dr. Naijibullah Safi noted that Africa faces over 100 health emergencies annually and urged countries to address systemic vulnerabilities. He acknowledged Zimbabwe’s recent successes in deploying its Incident Management System during cholera and measles outbreaks, pointing to the value of continuous surveillance and capacity building to sustain gains in emergency response.
World Vision Zimbabwe’s National Director, Mr. Assam Golowa, reinforced the value of collaboration and praised the training session as a step forward in bolstering the country’s health resilience. He underscored the critical role of community-level responders and affirmed World Vision’s support in enhancing Zimbabwe’s preparedness at grassroots and national levels.
Together, the speakers conveyed a unified call to action—Zimbabwe must remain vigilant, coordinated, and proactive in strengthening its public health systems. With the steadfast backing of global and regional partners, the country is poised to advance its capacity to manage health crises, protect communities, and contribute to a more resilient and secure African health landscape.
