Staff Reporter
Minister of Health and Child Care Dr. D.T. Mombeshora has announced that the ministry will prioritize completing ongoing infrastructural projects before initiating new ones.
He made the remarks during the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s five-day end-of-year review and planning meeting which started yesterday. The event brought together senior health officials and development partners to evaluate progress and set priorities for 2025.
Dr. Mombeshora stressed the importance of focusing resources on existing projects to ensure their timely completion and maximize their impact.
“As a ministry, we have made progress on numerous infrastructural projects. However, our priority now is to finish what we have started before taking on new projects. This approach will ensure efficiency and effective use of resources,” he said.
The minister cited examples of ongoing projects, including district hospital upgrades and the construction of new clinics in rural areas.
“The successful completion of these projects will significantly improve access to healthcare services, particularly for marginalized communities. This is a key step toward achieving universal health coverage,” he added.
The review meeting also provided a platform for stakeholders to reflect on challenges encountered in 2024, including funding constraints and delays caused by supply chain disruptions. Senior officials and partners discussed strategies to overcome these obstacles while setting realistic targets for the year ahead.
Dr. Mombeshora emphasized the need for collaboration. “We cannot achieve these goals alone. The successful completion of our projects will require the collective effort of all stakeholders,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr. Aspect Maunganidze echoed the minister’s sentiments, highlighting the need for a targeted approach. “One of our major challenges has been spreading ourselves too thin. By focusing on completing ongoing projects, we can deliver tangible results that will transform the healthcare landscape,” Dr. Maunganidze said.
Development partners also expressed support for the ministry’s strategy. Gloria Nyandoro, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), noted the importance of aligning resources with national priorities.
“The decision to focus on completing existing projects demonstrates strategic foresight. We remain committed to supporting the government in achieving its health infrastructure goals,” Nyandoro said.
The ministry’s prioritization of infrastructure is widely seen as a vital step toward strengthening Zimbabwe’s healthcare system and enhancing service delivery nationwide.
