Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Military Health Services (MHS) Working Group, with an ambitious agenda focused on research, innovation, and mental health support for regional defence forces.
The leadership baton was passed to Brigadier General Godfrey Mutetse of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), who took over from Zambia’s Brigadier General Jackson Kasela.
Brigadier General Mutetse’s immediate priorities include the rollout of the Military Health Doctorate Programme and strengthening collaborative research across SADC countries.
Speaking during the MHS Working Group’s two-day Annual General Meeting in Harare yesterday, Guest of Honour, Air Vice Marshal Selebale Masera, commented on the collaborative spirit among member states.
“I urge each of you to carry the spirit of collaboration and innovation beyond this meeting. We must sustain this momentum to ensure that our collective efforts have a lasting impact on the health of our military personnel and their families,” he said.
Brigadier General Mutetse said Zimbabwe’s leadership would focus on fast-tracking the implementation of the doctorate programme as a pathway to improved regional medical capacity in the military.
“We are committed to advancing the adoption of the Military Health Service Doctorate, which will enhance our operational capacity. Our target is to begin implementing this through joint exercises by 2027 or 2028,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of research in key areas affecting the health of military personnel, including the One Health concept, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health, and the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases.
“Mental health, especially issues related to drug and substance abuse, will also be a major area of focus. Over the next year, we will work through our established structures to develop policy frameworks that will guide our progress,” he added.
The meeting drew participation from military health professionals across SADC, united in their goal to improve the standard of care within the region’s defence forces.
The SADC Military Health Services framework plays a vital role in coordinating regional health responses, addressing issues such as HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other conditions that disproportionately affect those in uniform and their dependents.
Zimbabwe’s leadership is expected to drive new initiatives that improve health outcomes and operational readiness across the region.
