Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has received ICT equipment valued at US$90 000 from the Health Resilience Fund (HRF) partners to support the National and Sub-National Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs).
The donation was handed over during a ceremony in Harare on 7 December 2024.
The Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr. Aspect. Maunganidze, represented by Acting Chief Director of Public Health, Dr. J.D. Mutede, expressed gratitude for the contribution, describing it as critical to enhancing the Ministry’s emergency response capacity.
“This donation is a testament to the strong partnership between the Ministry and the Health Resilience Fund. It will significantly enhance our ability to coordinate and respond effectively to public health emergencies,” said Dr. Maunganidze in a statement read on his behalf.
Dr. Maunganidze reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to utilising the resources effectively.
“We remain dedicated to ensuring that these tools are fully leveraged to safeguard the health and well-being of all citizens,” he said.
Dr. Mutede added that the ICT tools would strengthen operations by improving data collection, analysis, and communication.
“The ICT tools provided will improve our capacity to gather, analyse, and disseminate critical information in real-time during emergencies, thereby saving lives,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the HRF partners, UNICEF Zimbabwe’s Deputy Representative, Dr. Simeon Nanama, highlighted the importance of the donation in building resilience within the health system.
“This ICT equipment is a vital resource in ensuring timely and effective responses to public health emergencies. UNICEF, together with other HRF partners, is committed to supporting the government in strengthening its capacity to manage and mitigate health crises,” said Dr. Nanama.
The Health Resilience Fund, a collaborative initiative involving international partners, aims to bolster Zimbabwe’s healthcare infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
The ICT equipment is expected to enhance coordination and efficiency at PHEOCs, improving responses to disease outbreaks and other public health threats.
