Catherine Murombedzi

Health Correspondent

The Health Resilience Fund (HRF) has handed over critical medical equipment and supplies worth US$9.2 million to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) in Zimbabwe.

The equipment and supplies, procured through the technical support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) aim to enhance Zimbabwe’s healthcare infrastructure and services, particularly for vulnerable mothers, newborns, children, and adolescents.

The handover ceremony was attended by representatives from the HRF, the MoHCC, with the UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, and other partners.

The equipment and supplies include ICT equipment, E-learning accessories modernising health information systems, enabling efficient data management, and supporting telemedicine initiatives, fistula repair kits, manual vacuum aspiration kits, anesthetic machines, operating theatre tables, neonatal incubators, phototherapy machines, essential medical commodities and medicines.

UNFPA Representative Ms. Miranda Tabifor said the life-saving equipment and commodities will support Zimbabwe’s efforts in ending the deaths of women while giving life.

At least five women die each day in child birth due to preventable causes.

“UNFPA remains unwavering in its commitment to supporting the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe. This handover is a testament to our on-going partnership and our dedication to addressing critical gaps in maternal and newborn health services. The equipment and supplies provided today are not just items; they are the difference between life and death for women,” said Tabifor.

HRF Co-Chair and Programme Manager at the Embassy of Ireland Mr Dumisile Msimanga said the donation targeted the most at risk.

“The target populations of the Health Resilience Fund are women, adolescents, girls, and children who are at risk of being left behind in the provision of basic essential health services,” said Msimanga.

The HRF is a pooled fund that benefits from financial contributions from the European Union, the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom, GAVI, and the Vaccine Alliance. The fund supports three health pillars:

● ending preventable maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent deaths;

● global health security

● health systems strengthening.

The handover is significant in enhancing Zimbabwe’s healthcare infrastructure and services, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The equipment and supplies will help reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, improve surgical outcomes, and enhance the overall quality of healthcare services in Zimbabwe.

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