Bernard Mutambudzi

Government is prioritizing rural communities for inclusion in the medical insurance as it seeks to achieve Universal achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3.

Speaking at the official opening of the 6th Technical Committee of Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference (TCAMCCO) yesterday in Harare, Minister Priscah Mupfumira whose speech was read by Acting Secretary for Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Mr Francis Gondo, said Government of Zimbabwe was doing all it can to support the development of the cooperative sector.

He said the country had a vision to become an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

“Promotion of good health and well-being in Africa through cooperatives could not have come at a better time in the development status of our economies," he said.

He said embracing the model of cooperatives for the development of the citizens was not only commendable, but remains the best way to achieve the aspirations of the citizens, that of improved socio-economic development and indeed good health.

He said Government since Independence embraced the cooperatives model as the only just and fair means equitable distribution of wealth.

“Zimbabwe at Independence vigorously pursued the Cooperative model and heavily resourced its growth," he said adding that it resulted in massive jump to 8 530 registered Cooperatives.

"Cooperative model is the best way to promote and work towards the achievement of SDG 3," he said.

He said Zimbabwe was working on appropriate regulatory framework on health Cooperative.