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Herald Reporter

Air Commodore Jasper Chimedza, the former Director-General Health Services for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, has been appointed Secretary for Health and Child Care by President Mnangagwa with immediate effect.

Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda announced the appointment in a statement issued yesterday.

The President has the constitutional power to appoint permanent secretaries.

Air Commodore Chimedza replaces Dr Agnes Mahomva, who was appointed Chief Coordinator of the National Response to the Covid-19 pandemic in May.

Air Commodore Chimedza is a qualified medical doctor, obtaining his MB ChB degrees at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) before being attested into the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) in January 1996.

On completion of Basic Officers’ Military Course at Buffalo Range in Chiredzi, he was promoted to flight lieutenant and posted to Thornhill Air Force Base as medical officer. In 1998 he was promoted to squadron leader and posted to Manyame Air Force Base as senior medical officer.

Thereafter, he was appointed Director Medical Services at Air Force Headquarters with further promotion to wing commander and since 2010, he has been holding the rank of air commodore.

“Dr Chimedza brings with him a wealth of experience to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in particular and the health services in general where he is expected to refocus the nation’s health delivery services in order to enhance innovation, integrity, transparency, efficiency and vibrant stakeholder participation as the country fights the war against the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Dr Sibanda.