The Zimbabwean government has announced its plans to take control of the health sector amid funding uncertainties from USAID due to President Trump’s executive orders. Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora discussed the government’s steps to manage medicine supplies and ensure uninterrupted healthcare despite challenges in procurement and staffing.
The Zimbabwean government has declared its intent to take control of the health sector, a move it claims was initiated prior to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders. On January 20, 2021, President Trump mandated a 90-day halt on funding and a detailed review of USAID activities, which raise concerns regarding public health initiatives in Zimbabwe and Africa, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora asserted that the government had already planned the employment of health workers directly under the ministry due to issues with accountability related to NGO-employed workers. Despite the initial suspension of USAID funding, which was later reversed, public health facilities continue to struggle with the delivery of essential medications, with current stocks expected to last only until June.
Mombeshora noted that the government had taken measures to secure additional medicines for the period post-June, amidst conflicting statements regarding the status of procurement. He emphasized the persistent procurement challenges but reassured that they had sufficient stock until the end of June and were actively seeking tenders to replenish supplies for the following months.
The financial support from USAID encompasses not only medicine procurement but also nurses’ salaries and various public health services. Mombeshora emphasized the need to keep HIV treatment uninterrupted despite current uncertainties, indicating a total of over 19,000 village health workers reliant on USAID funding. The overall healthcare situation in Zimbabwe continues to be precarious, further exacerbated by the withdrawal of humanitarian organizations in response to Trump’s decisions.
In summary, the Zimbabwean government is undertaking a strategic shift in managing the health sector amidst funding uncertainties caused by U.S. policy changes. Despite claims of proactive planning, the ongoing challenges in medicine procurement pose risks to essential health services, particularly for HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria treatment. There remains a crucial need for effective resource management and stability in healthcare funding to avert a public health crisis.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
