By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) –The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is committed to strengthening its partnership with Zimbabwe in tackling humanitarian challenges such as climate change, public health emergencies, migration, disaster preparedness and community resilience, a senior official said on Monday.
The visiting IFRC secretary general Jagan Chapagain said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health and Child Care, Douglas Mombeshora on Monday.
He said expanding access to healthcare remains central to achieving universal health coverage and building resilient communities.
“Closer collaboration between the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, particularly through data sharing, will strengthen evidence-based policymaking and the country’s health system. The IFRC will continue to deepen its ties with Zimbabwe to ensure that health services are accessible to everyone. As the Red Cross, we are contributing in that effort,” he said.
Chapagain praised the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society for implementing a free community outreach programme that provides HIV testing and counselling, diabetes screening, and blood pressure checks, saying such initiatives play a vital role in improving access to essential health services at community level.
The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, established through the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society Act of 1981), is the national humanitarian organisation mandated to provide emergency relief and support to vulnerable communities.
Although the Act is administered by the Ministry of Defence, the organisation works in close partnership with the government and other stakeholders to deliver healthcare, disaster response and a broad range of humanitarian services across the country.
Chapagain is on a four-day mission to Zimbabwe, during which he has toured Zimbabwe Red Cross Society healthcare facilities and commended the quality, reach and impact of the services being delivered to communities.
His visit began on Friday with a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa before a series of engagements with government Ministers, humanitarian and development partners, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and other key stakeholders aimed at strengthening cooperation on the country’s humanitarian priorities.
New Ziana
