Government Advances Health Sector Reforms Under National Development Strategy

Government has advanced health sector reforms under the National Development Strategy, focusing on hospital renovations, rural health centres and improved access to healthcare services (image source)

HARARE — Zimbabwe’s health sector recorded notable progress in 2025 as Government continued implementing reforms under the National Development Strategy (NDS), aimed at improving access to healthcare services and strengthening public health infrastructure across the country.

Key initiatives include the Presidential Hospital Renovation Scheme and the continued expansion of rural and high-density health facilities, programmes designed to modernise public hospitals and close service delivery gaps, particularly in underserved communities.

Health and Child Care Ministry Secretary Mr Aspect Maunganidze said refurbishment works had commenced at selected public health institutions under a phased implementation plan.

“2025 saw a rollout of the Presidential Hospital Renovation Scheme, starting with Parirenyatwa School of Nursing and now Mpilo. The intention is to ensure that central and provincial hospitals have infrastructure that is fit for purpose as we move from NDS1 to NDS2, which is the final phase towards Vision 2030,” Maunganidze said.

He said Government was also preparing for the construction of new health centres in Manhize, Paradza, Rudhanda and Bulilima, with building works expected to begin in 2026. At the same time, investments in primary healthcare facilities in rural and high-density areas have continued. Recently commissioned centres include Mataga in Mberengwa, Runyararo, Cowdray Park and Stoneridge.

“We commissioned Mataga in Mberengwa in 2025, which completed the first four pilot centres opened over the last two to three years. Groundwork is now in progress for the next four centres planned for rollout in 2026,” Maunganidze said.

Government expects the expansion of health facilities to significantly improve access for rural communities by reducing travel distances to health centres from an average of 10 kilometres to about 5 kilometres. In addition to infrastructure development, authorities have decentralised the recruitment of nursing trainees, enabling provinces to play a greater role in the selection process.

The decentralised recruitment model is intended to improve staff retention by encouraging trainees to serve in their home districts, addressing long-standing challenges related to human resources in the health sector.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has consistently emphasised that strengthening the health sector is critical to national development, particularly in ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations as Zimbabwe advances towards Vision 2030.