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Mukudzei Chingwere recently in Mutare
Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Constantino Chiwenga has praised health workers for their excellent response to pandemics and natural disasters, saying their welfare will be improved and prioritised.

Speaking at an interface with healthcare workers in Manicaland at the weekend, VP Chiwenga articulated Government’s vision of transforming the sector in conformity with best international practices.

At Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare, VP Chiwenga said on top of the ongoing improvements, the hospital needed further refurbishment to meet the required standards.

“I want to express my most profound gratitude for being accorded an opportunity to interface here today with healthcare personnel, patients and the people of Manicaland.

“There is need to constantly look at the welfare of health staff and need to improve their working conditions.

“Government will construct flats to accommodate healthcare staff, build staff canteens with entertainment centres and buy buses to transport healthcare staff,” said VP Chiwenga.

The hospital has undergone massive infrastructure development projects which the VP said resonates with President Mnangagwa’s vision of creating a prosperous upper middle income economy by 2030.

He said the developments will not be exclusive to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital but would be rolled out at all the country’s hospitals.

VP Chiwenga said they had also adopted a policy aimed at resuscitating the pharmaceutical industry which was operating below optimum levels.

The initiative would result in the manufacture of medicines and sundries locally, a move aimed at reducing the import bill.

Speaking to health care workers at Chimanimani District Hospital VP Chiwenga said: “Though my visit to Chimanimani is multi-pronged, my tour of Chimanimani Hospital is purposed to facilitate an interface with my fellow countrymen and also assess the state of the district’s medical infrastructure, equipment and general preparedness to deal with diseases, pandemics and effects of disasters such as floods and strong winds.”

“I want to recognise the selfless dedication to duty and sacrifices by our frontline workers and particularly so, our health care workers, stationed in Government, council, mission-run and private medical institutions in the country as well as the community health care workers.

“Their gallantry, in the wake of the marauding Covid-19 pandemic and other threats to public health, is applauded. My ministry is seized with challenges they confront on a daily basis,” he said.

Chimanimani hospital staff said they had challenges with the ambulance service and VP Chiwenga pledged to have the matter addressed immediately.