Douglas Mombeshora, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health and Child Care, says the government is strengthening efforts to address deaths caused by snake bites and rabies, particularly in rural, border, and forested areas where the risks remain highest. Responding to questions from legislators in Parliament on Tuesday, Mombeshora said both conditions have been prioritised under the country’s national health strategy because they disproportionately affect rural communities.

The Zimbabwean government has launched a phased programme to place village health workers on the national payroll, marking a significant policy shift aimed at standardising remuneration and reducing reliance on donor funding.