Zimbabwe to Deploy 200 New Ambulances Nationwide to Boost Emergency Healthcare

A row of the new ambulances(image source)

Zimbabwe’s emergency medical landscape is set for a major transformation, following the government’s announcement that 200 new ambulances will be deployed across all ten provinces. This strategic investment under the Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme (PEMS) aims to enhance emergency healthcare access, especially in rural and underserved communities, where life-saving interventions have long been constrained by inadequate transport. Currently, the country operates with approximately 200 ambulances for over 16 million people, far below the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of one ambulance per 50,000 people. The critical shortage has led to fatal delays in treating accident victims, expectant mothers, and patients in need of urgent medical care.

Strategic Public-Private Partnership

Speaking during the Presidential Emergency Medical Outreach programme in Epworth on July 12, 2025, Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora confirmed the rollout. He revealed that a memorandum of understanding had been signed with Discovery Ambulance Services, a private provider working in tandem with government agencies.

“We are expecting a huge fleet of ambulances to complement our current Ministry of Health fleet. So far, we are looking to start with about 200 ambulances,” said Dr. Mombeshora.

The rollout has already begun, with some ambulances operational and responding to emergencies, helping ease the burden on Zimbabwe’s under-resourced health system.

Empowering Communities Through Outreach

The broader outreach programme includes screening and treatment for non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes, staffed by doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. Discovery Ambulance CEO David Munowenyu stressed the importance of community-centered care:

“The training empowers communities to provide better care and share responsibilities. This aligns with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which aims for universal health coverage—ensuring no one and no place is left behind.”

Urgent Need Highlighted in Parliament

On July 10, 2025, members of Parliament reignited debate over the dire need for emergency vehicles. Hon. Molakela-Tsiye highlighted that Harare, with over two million people, has fewer than 10 functioning ambulances. She called for Zimbabwe to increase its fleet by 600 ambulances by 2030, bringing the total to at least 800 to meet global benchmarks.

“If a citizen falls sick or is involved in an accident, the lack of ambulances means they may not get timely medical attention, leading to preventable deaths,” she said.

The debate also emphasized the urgent need for infrastructure development, especially in maternal health, where delayed ambulance services have resulted in high mortality rates among expectant mothers.

Training Households to Handle Emergencies

To complement the new fleet, community members are being trained in basic emergency response. ZANU PF Harare Province chairperson Goodwills Masimirembwa noted that the programme equips households with life-saving knowledge:

“If someone collapses or suffers a medical emergency, trained community members can offer immediate aid while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.”

This initiative not only improves survival outcomes but also builds a culture of health resilience at the grassroots level.

A Step Toward Vision 2030

The acquisition and deployment of these ambulances reflect President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which envisions affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare for every Zimbabwean. With public-private collaboration, this new fleet promises to reduce maternal deaths, shorten emergency response times, and restore public confidence in the healthcare system. As Zimbabwe prepares to scale its ambulance fleet, healthcare professionals and policymakers agree that long-term sustainability, maintenance, and personnel training will be critical to the programme’s success.