By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – Government has called for a decisive shift from policy formulation to implementation as the country begins rolling out the National Health Strategy 2026-2030, aimed at accelerating universal health coverage and improving healthcare delivery nationwide.
Addressing stakeholders at the High-Level Health Sector Coordination Forum in Harare on Thursday, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the country had developed sufficient policies and frameworks over the years, adding that the focus must now be on translating them into better healthcare services for citizens.
“We meet here today as we start the implementation of the National Health Strategy 2026-2030. The Strategy provides a clear national framework for advancing Universal Health Coverage and building a resilient, sustainable and people-centred health system,” he said.
The strategy is aligned with the national Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 and seeks to improve access to quality healthcare while strengthening the country’s health system.
Dr Mombeshora stressed that the success of the strategy would be judged by the quality of services experienced by patients rather than the number of policy documents produced.
“The task before us is no longer to develop more plans, but to implement the commitments we have made. We have developed strategies, policies, frameworks and action plans… The real test, however, is the quality of the services experienced by our people in health facilities across the country,” he said.
He said Government would prioritise strengthening primary healthcare, investing in the health workforce, improving access to essential medicines and technologies, and establishing sustainable financing mechanisms to shield households from the financial burden of illness.
While acknowledging Zimbabwe’s achievements in combating HIV, tuberculosis, improving maternal and child health, expanding immunisation and developing health infrastructure, Dr Mombeshora warned against complacency.
“These achievements demonstrate what can be accomplished through strong Government leadership and effective partnerships. However, progress must not make us complacent. We must confront the persistent challenges affecting service delivery and act decisively to address them,” he said.
Among the immediate priorities identified are improving the timely release of resources for medicines and infrastructure projects, strengthening domestic health financing, addressing shortages of healthcare workers, improving medicine availability and distribution, and reinforcing procurement, supply chain and health information systems.
Calling for greater accountability, Dr Mombeshora urged stakeholders to ensure agreed actions are implemented within set timelines.
“We should not allow an action point to become a permanent resident on our agenda, appearing faithfully at every meeting while making very little progress between meetings,” he said.
On healthcare financing, the minister said Government was advancing the National Health Insurance Bill to establish a more equitable, sustainable and efficient financing system that would reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs and strengthen financial protection for citizens.
He also highlighted recent legislative reforms, including the gazetting of the Medical Services Amendment Act (No. 3 of 2026), which now requires private health institutions to provide life-saving emergency treatment for at least 48 hours regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
“The law now places a clear obligation on private health institutions to provide life-saving emergency treatment for at least 48 hours, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
This is a significant expression of Government’s commitment to safeguarding life,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora said Government was also reviewing other health laws to modernise the sector while promoting innovation, accountability and responsible private sector participation.
He acknowledged the support of development partners, the private sector, civil society organisations and communities, saying their contributions remained indispensable but should always be guided by national priorities, transparency and equity.
Emphasising that health outcomes extend beyond hospitals and clinics, the minister said access to clean water, sanitation, nutrition, education, safe communities and sustainable livelihoods were all critical to achieving universal health coverage.
He urged all stakeholders to align their programmes with the National Health Strategy, eliminate duplication and ensure every resource invested in the health sector delivers maximum benefit to citizens.
“The challenges before us are considerable, but so too is the opportunity to build a stronger and more sustainable health system. What is required now is disciplined implementation, collective ownership and unwavering commitment,” he said.
New Ziana
