Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE government is scrambling to raise funds after revealing that it is running low on critical medical supplies needed to curb a surge in waterborne diseases.
Addressing journalists at the second post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora confirmed that authorities have approved a US$4,5 million contingency fund to address urgent health concerns.
“Right now, our stocks are low in terms of tablets for treating water. We are also low on some commodities like intravenous fluids, medications that are required to treat cholera,” he said.
Mombeshora added that part of the funds would support awareness campaigns in selected high-risk communities and provinces.
“It is also going to cover, in terms of publicity, awareness in the communities,” he said.
“It is not really going to be deployed to all the provinces. We have mapped out our high-risk areas and the concentration will be on those high-risk areas, not throughout the country as such.
“So those are some of the areas. I really cannot mention item by item, what a very big document, which is itemised, and how that money is going to be utilised.”
Speaking at the same briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Zhemu Soda said Zimbabwe had recorded sporadic and isolated outbreaks of waterborne diseases, typically linked to the rainy season.
“Although no major outbreaks have been officially declared, risks remain elevated due to current weather conditions, population movements and increased strain on water and sanitation infrastructure,” he said.
Soda said government had intensified preparedness efforts through comprehensive risk and hazard mapping, heightened alertness among response agencies and expanded public health communication campaigns.
“These measures aim to prevent isolated cases from developing into large-scale outbreaks and to reduce undue pressure on the healthcare system,” he said.
He added that Cabinet had approved a contingency fund to support the Health and Child Care ministry’s preparedness and early response to seasonal disease outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the Health and Child Care ministry on Monday this week commenced the process of developing a new National Health Strategy (NHS) in line with the NDS2.
NHS will exploit and protect all available health financing, including the National Health Insurance Scheme.
“The new national health strategy is from 2026 to 2030. It is also going to enhance the ring-fencing of all the health plans, all the finances in taxes that are targeted at raising money to support the healthcare system.”
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