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His Excellency Mr. Edward Kallon, Zimbabwe United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator has urged the urgent need for forging partnerships and ensuring sustainable health finance to strengthen Zimbabwe’s health systems, reiterating that such efforts are integral to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and addressing the multifaceted health challenges that lie ahead.
He delivered the remarks at the Health Sector Health Development Partners Coordination Forum on Friday 12 July 2024, held at the Holyday Inn Hotel in Harare.
The senior UN official said Zimbabwe is at a pivotal juncture in its journey towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). HE Kallon said the country’s dedication to accelerating the attainment of these goals, in line with its National Vision 2030, aimed at ensuring universal health coverage for its population as guided by the National Health Strategy (NHS 2021-2025), is evidenced by the development of the Health Sector Coordination Framework.
It has long been recognized that factors influencing human health are multiple and often complex. Realizing that these factors are frequently rooted in contexts over which the health sector has limited control underscores the necessity of a collective, and multi-sectoral approach.
The healthcare landscape in Zimbabwe is marked by a complex web of challenges and opportunities. From the rising tide of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to the persistent epidemic levels of HIV despite substantial progress, to recurrent outbreaks of infectious diseases like measles and cholera, and the far-reaching impacts of El Nino-induced droughts and global pandemics such as COVID-19 and future pandemics lurking in the horizon, the health system is continually tested.
He shared perspectives on objectives and strategies to achieve significant wins in the health sector.
The Imperative for Universal Health Coverage (UHC):
Mr Kallon said ensuring that every Zimbabwean has access to necessary healthcare without financial hardship must be the foremost priority. UHC is not merely a health issue; it is intrinsically linked to the nation’s development, social equity, and economic growth. A healthy population forms the cornerstone of a productive and prosperous society.
The Double Burden of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases: NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are rising sharply, placing additional pressure on the health system and infrastructure. Simultaneously, the country continues its battle against HIV/AIDS, which remains a significant public health challenge despite considerable progress (UNAIDS, 2024). To that end, he said the approach must be multi-faceted: preventative measures, early detection, effective treatment, and continuous care are crucial. This requires robust healthcare financing, innovative healthcare delivery models, and strengthened health systems.
Health Emergencies such as recurrent outbreaks and global pandemics: Zimbabwe is no stranger to health emergencies, with recurrent outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and measles. Moreover, the recent experience with COVID-19 has underscored the critical importance of preparedness and resilient health systems. Building and maintaining robust epidemic preparedness and response systems, including enhanced disease surveillance and rapid response capabilities, is imperative.
Addressing Climate and Environmental Impacts: The El Nino-induced severe droughts highlight the interconnectedness of environmental and health issues. Droughts lead to food and water scarcity, exacerbating malnutrition and susceptibility to disease. The response must be comprehensive, integrating climate action with health strategies to mitigate these impacts.
Maternal and Child Health: Reducing child and maternal mortality to international standards is non-negotiable. Women and children represent the future, and their well-being reflects the nation’s health. It is the most direct indicator of the whole health system and service delivery. Strengthening maternal and child health services, improving access to quality care, and addressing the socio-economic determinants of health are essential steps in this direction.
Sustainable Health Finance: Like many other low- and middle-income countries, Zimbabwe faces perennial challenges of resource constraints to meet its commitments to the Abuja Declaration target of allocating at least 15% of its national budget to health. Addressing the broader determinants of health requires inter-sectoral action across various non-health sectors like education, housing, social services, water, and agriculture. The Ministry of Health and Child Care must coordinate the activities and contributions of various stakeholders.
To achieve these ambitious goals, sustainable health financing is crucial. Developing innovative financing mechanisms, leveraging both domestic and international resources, and ensuring long-term, predictable funding for health is essential. This includes improving efficiency in health spending, exploring public-private partnerships, and fostering community-based health financing initiatives.
The United Nations in Zimbabwe supports joint programmes like the Health Resilience Fund, with strong backing from development partners including the EU, Ireland, the UK, the Gavi Alliance, the Together for Sexual and Health Rights Joint Programme supported by Sweden, and the Global Fund and US PEPFAR to mention but a few. This underscores the importance of forging strong partnerships.
The complexity of the challenges necessitates collaboration across sectors and borders. Strong partnerships with international organizations, donor agencies, the private sector, civil society, and local communities are vital. By working together, stakeholders can pool resources, share expertise, and implement best practices to strengthen the health system.
Accelerating Momentum towards the 2030 Agenda: The 2024 Sustainable Development Goals Report reveals concerning trends, with about half of the 17 targets making minimal or moderate progress and over one-third stalling or regressing since their adoption by UN Member States in 2015. These goals are designed to promote peace and prosperity for people and the planet. UN Secretary-General António Guterres aptly described this report as an annual SDG report card, indicating that the world is currently receiving a failing grade in its pursuit of sustainable development.
The UNSG emphasized that there is no time to waste and that we must accelerate action for the Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, stakeholders must all work together to advance the achievement of SDGs in the remaining six years.
Stakeholders must harness the momentum and commitment towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Achieving the health SDGs is intrinsically linked to broader goals of economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. The strategies should be holistic and inclusive, ensuring that no one is left behind.
“By forging strong partnerships and ensuring sustainable health finance, we can build a resilient health system capable of withstanding the shocks of climate change, and pandemics, addressing the burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, reducing child and maternal mortality, and ensuring that every Zimbabwean enjoys the right to health.
“Let us commit ourselves to this cause with renewed vigor, for in strengthening our health system, we are investing in the future of the nation. Let me reiterate, Honourable Minister and Partners, that the UN family stands firmly with you in operationalizing the Health Sector Coordination Framework, which is key to attaining the aspirations of the Government of Zimbabwe and achieving the SDGs in Zimbabwe,” HE Kallon added.