Zimbabwe is edging closer to universal health coverage, with Government confirming that the long-awaited draft bill for the National Health Insurance Scheme has been finalised and could become law before the end of this year.
Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, said the scheme is being designed on international best practices to deliver a well-financed and inclusive system that guarantees better health outcomes for all citizens. Speaking in Victoria Falls at the official opening of the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) conference, he revealed that the bill will soon be tabled before Cabinet and Parliament.
“The Ministry of Health has made great strides in compiling a national health insurance scheme and the draft bill is now at an advanced stage. As we draft, we have studied countries that have implemented such schemes so we come up with a better-financed system with better outcomes,” Dr Mombeshora said. He expressed optimism that the bill could be enacted before year-end, with implementation expected to begin by mid-2026.
The private sector has thrown its weight behind the initiative. AHFoZ Chairperson, Mr Stanford Sisya, said the scheme could be a game-changer, noting that medical aid currently reaches only 10 percent of the population. “We want people to be covered. It will improve lifespan for 90 percent of our people and curb fraud in the system, ensuring fairness in access to healthcare,” he said.
If successfully rolled out, the National Health Insurance Scheme could transform Zimbabwe’s health landscape, ensuring millions currently outside the medical safety net gain access to affordable care, in line with regional and global benchmarks.
