The Sunday Mail
Tanyaradzwa Rusike
THE restructuring of the country’s healthcare delivery system has shifted into top gear, with Government now finalising the takeover of all health facilities run by local authorities and the roll-out of an expanded specialist physician training programme later this year.
Last year, authorities approved an extensive reorganisation of the healthcare delivery system in a development expected to streamline operations and improve service delivery at healthcare facilities.
The Government has already, through the Health Services Board (HSB), absorbed all health facilities run by rural district councils.
In addition, all health professionals previously under the employment of Chitungwiza Town Council are now on Government’s payroll.
Negotiations for the takeover of Harare City Council-owned clinics and polyclinics are close to completion.
The new strategy has seen the refurbishment and development of 36 medical centres countrywide over the past year.
To address the critical shortage of medical specialists, the Government is in the process of expanding the enrolment of trainee specialist physicians at local medical schools.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, announced the grand plan to standardise healthcare delivery as envisaged under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1)last year.
Modernisation of the country’s health delivery system was one of ZANU PF’s central campaign promises during the 2018 harmonised elections.
In an interview, HSB spokesperson Ms Tryfine Dzukutu said: “The HSB absorbed all rural district council (clinics) in 2018.
“As for the urban councils, Chitungwiza and Harare are priority.
“Chitungwiza City Council nursing staff was absorbed on SSB (Salary Service Bureau) payroll since September 2021.
“As for Harare City Council, dialogue is progressing, paperwork verification and validation is continuing in earnest.
“Last year, 65 cadres from Chitungwiza council nursing staff were absorbed on SSB payroll and they are now receiving their incentives.”
She said the country faces a critical shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons, pathologists, plastic surgeons, dermatologists and oncologists, among other specialist physicians.
Government, she said, will roll out numerous interventions to address the shortages.
“We will prioritise flexible training of specialists under the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) and East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP).
“We will also engage the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development to capacitate local learning institutions and consider increasing intake levels and possibly introduce new programmes covering specialty critical shortage areas.
“Government will also establish bilateral agreements with the popular destination countries to ensure ethical recruitment for the sustainability of Zimbabwe’s health system.
“In addition, we will strengthen the bond commitment arrangement to discourage out migration of critical skills and ensure return on investment for the country.”
Speaking in Parliament last year, VP Chiwenga said the reorganisation was in line with NDS1.
“To ensure implementation of National Development Strategy 1 on health and well-being, the Ministry of Health and Child Care is in the process of absorbing into the mainstream, all local authorities health delivery platforms which include clinics, polyclinics, rural hospitals and infectious disease hospitals.
“This will standardise the provision of health service delivery among other things, addressing both the welfare of health workers and Government user fee position,” said VP Chiwenga.
Government plans to refashion the sector are outlined in the NDS1.
It reads in part: “In order to achieve improved human resources performance during the strategy period, Government will implement the following strategies: implement single spine remuneration scheme for health care workers; provide adequate tools of trade; institute non-monetary incentive; implement strategic rebranding of the health sector; strengthen training of health professionals to international standards; and accelerate restructuring of Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the Health Service Board (HSB) to be fit for purpose.”
