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Writes Clayton Masekesa
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Zimbabwe government under the Ministry of Health and Child Care has launched a $25 million sexual reproductive health programme that is aimed at promoting health in Zimbabwean communities.
The programme, Sexual Health Services (SHASHA) – Family Planning and Mhuri/Imuli II, was launched in Makoni District, Rusape in Manicaland Province last Friday.
The programme will embrace maternal, newborn and child health.
The health project, also partnered with an NGO FHi360 is being funded by USAID and implemented by Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ).
PSZ is implementing the second phase of the project in Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Matebeleland South and Mashonaland West.
The first project was implemented in 2018 – 2023.
The current programme will end in 2028.
Officially launching the programme, the Minister of Health and Childcare David Mombeshora, represented by his deputy, Sleiman Kwidini, said the launch represented an opportunity for the country to reflect on the health and well-being of the citizens.
“As a nation, we will reflect on the health and well-being of our people, especially children adolescents and young women. Globally, women and children bear the harshest brunt of poverty, poor health outcomes, hunger, adverse socio-cultural practices and a stifled promise of the right to health,” said Mombeshora.
He said the government was committed to implementing rights as enshrined in section 56 of the constitution (Amendment number 19 of 2013), which provides a strong framework for the protection and promotion of the rights of all citizens.
Mombeshora said the government has endorsed goals and targets set out in international protocols and agreements on health and has placed sexual reproductive health and rights high on the national agenda.
“The ministry with support from partners, is implementing a national sexual reproductive health programme that is aimed at providing and promoting appropriate quality, comprehensive, integrated services that are safe l, equitable, affordable, acceptable and accessible to all citizens,” he said.
The minister said the programme was supporting national and global development priorities aimed at ensuring healthy lives.
The USAID Mission Director, Janean Davis, said USAID’s commitment to maternal and child health was a demonstration of supportive initiatives to the government.
“Our commitment to maternal and child health, combined with our dedication to family planning services is a demonstration of our partnership and commitment to supporting the Ministry of Health and Child Health Care to achieve the goals of the people of Zimbabwe to build healthier communities together,” said Davies.
“Our efforts will continue to focus on the health of the entire family network and high-quality maternal, newborn and child care. Working with our partners, we will focus on the continuum of care from home to community, to primary care facilities and referral hospital,” she said.
Davies said the approach of the programme will include training health workers to recognize and respond to complications early ensuring that expectant mothers are referred to hospitals and clinics that are equipped to safely care for them with the necessary resources l, knowledge, medicines and equipment.
“We recognize that we can only have an impact on maternal and child health if we improve the quality of the whole system. The training the health workers will receive through these activities is just one piece of the puzzle. We will also integrate our focus on nutrition and immunisation programs to safeguard the health of mothers and babies,” Davis said.
She said the USAID’s partnerships with local communities with ensure that every woman and girl has the knowledge and means to make decisions that are right for her health and the future.
