Zimbabwe’s Top 10 Health Champions for 2025

As has become tradition at HealthTimes, every year we honour leaders in the healthcare sector who are making a difference and contributing significantly to Zimbabwe’s health system. This year, we are doing things differently. We have categorised the champions according to their sectors or areas of influence, focusing on innovation and the strategies that healthcare leaders in Zimbabwe have employed to overcome the hurdles facing the sector. The year 2025 brought new disruptions to the country’s healthcare system, following the withdrawal of donor funding for a number of programmes. However,…

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185 Nurses Graduate at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital

By Kuda Pembere Two hundred and ten nurses graduated at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital on Friday, specializing in various disciplines that include General Nursing, Midwifery, Pediatric Nursing, Intensive Care Nursing (ICN), and Operating Theatre Nursing (OTN). Of these, 114 were general nurses, 55 midwives, 14 pediatric nurses, 14 intensive care nurses, and 13 operating theatre nurses. Officiating at the ceremony, Higher Life Foundation Country Director Philani Nyatsanza said the partnership between the foundation and the hospital began in 2021 to strengthen maternal and neonatal health services. “We believe that the…

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Zimbabwe urged to adopt legal framework against counterfeit medicines

By Kudakwashe Pembere At a time when Zimbabwe lacks legal frameworks to address the sale and distribution of falsified and substandard medicines, the country remains at a disadvantage in fighting this growing problem. This was said by Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) board member Nancy Samuriwo during the Authority’s 7th annual general meeting held last Friday. Her remarks followed those of MCAZ Director General Richard Rukwata, who highlighted that the Authority is working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to curb the distribution of counterfeit medicines. Rukwata also noted…

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ZNFPC appoints Machinga as the new CEO

By Columbus Mavhunga Harare: Farai Machinga is the new substantive Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) having been in an acting role for some time. In a statement, ZNFPC said Machinga took the position since the beginning of this month. Mr Machinga is a distinguished public health specialist with over a decade of extensive experience across various developmental sectors including government, and non-governmental settings,” said ZNFPC. “In his previous role as acting CEO, Mr Machinga led ZNFPC to many outstanding corporate and personal achievements.…

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UNFPA Urges Focus on Adolescents, Youth and Quality Healthcare as Zimbabwe Prepares for Ninth Country Programme

By Kuda Pembere As the Zimbabwean Government through Treasury prepares for its ninth country programme in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the organisation has urged the country to prioritise healthcare quality and improve the livelihoods of adolescents and young people, particularly females who are disproportionately affected by teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, and HIV. This was said by UNFPA Zimbabwe Representative Miranda Tabifor while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a consultative stakeholder workshop to develop the ninth country programme, running from 2027 to 2031. With over 60…

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Funding Constraints Hamper NatPharm’s Role in Public Health Procurement

By Kuda Pembere Severe funding constraints are undermining Zimbabwe’s public health procurement system, disrupting the National Pharmaceutical Company’s (NatPharm) ability to maintain a reliable medical supply chain. NatPharm, a government parastatal, is responsible for procuring and distributing medical products nationwide. Its operations were further strained by the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. government funding through USAID during the Donald Trump administration. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a Health Products Supply Chain Management Dialogue, Health and Child Care Ministry Secretary Dr. Aspect Maunganidze pointed to low budget allocations as one…

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