Johnsias Mutonhori, Midlands Correspondent
THE Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the Midlands Province Cde Owen Ncube has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to continue strengthening the health sector by putting in place state-of-the-art infrastructure that speaks to modernisation and a vision to attain an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Speaking during a tour of Silobela District Hospital last Tuesday, Minister Ncube said the health sector as a middle pillar in socio-economic development should be strengthened for national development. Silobela Hospital is one of the biggest hospitals in the Midlands Province with a capacity of 78 beds and is a referral hospital for 13 clinics. Minister Ncube said the Government was making progress in standardising health facilities to match the international ones.
“The Second Republic is seized with the implementation of clearly defined and realistic health sector strategies and interventions which ensure restoration of basic infrastructure services that contribute meaningfully to economic growth and development.
“Good health is central to human happiness and well-being. It also makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and accumulate more savings.
He added, “High quality of life and improved life expectancy at birth from the current 61 years to 65 years are key health targets contained in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). Underpinned by the devolution and decentralisation agenda, the Second Republic focuses on bringing health services closer to the people.
Folks in the countryside are overburdened by the cost of traveling to town to access special treatment where at worst times, a notable number of patients lost their lives due to lack of funds to reach the nearest hospital,” he said.
Minister Ncube said in response to those challenges, Government had made it a priority to promote accessibility of quality health services.
“The objective of my visit therefore aims at providing impetus, invigorating and strengthening co-ordination and provision of quality, accessible and affordable health services in sync with an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 as envisioned by President Mnangagwa,” he said.
He added that the Government was also embracing Public and Private Partnerships (PPP) as a strategic measure to improve the quality of health service.
Among them, he mentioned the Midlands State University’s National Pathology Research and Diagnostic Centre which offers technology-driven pathology services to national and regional partners as well as Steelmakers that is producing industrial and medical oxygen.
“I would like to appreciate donations of oxygen gas by Steelmakers to our hospitals and clinics which reduce the cost of provision of health services,” said Minister Ncube.
He also spoke against the abuse of drugs and substances in the mining area mainly by the youth and illegal miners.
“Allow me to highlight the emerging drug and substance abuse menace in our communities, particularly by our youths both in and out of school. Drug hotspots used to be in urban areas but rural areas are now equally affected, and careers and family relationships have been affected negatively. In schools, bullying, dropping out and low pass rates have been reported and I want to urge you all to desist from drug peddling as law enforcement agencies are seized with the matter,” he said.
The minister visited Gokwe North, Kwekwe, Mberengwa, Shurugwi and Mvuma district hospitals to assess the status as well as identify areas of need.
