Zimbabwe Begins Phased Integration of Village Health Workers into National Payroll

Minister of Health and Childcare Honourable Douglas Mombeshora

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.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora confirmed that the state has begun assuming responsibility for paying thousands of village health workers who were previously funded mainly by non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“We were not paying the village health workers. Some of the village health workers were being paid by different organisations and NGOs,” he told lawmakers.

21,000 Village Health Workers Nationwide

Zimbabwe currently has approximately 21,000 village health workers, with an estimated 15,000 previously supported by NGOs. These frontline workers play a critical role in delivering primary healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to clinics and hospitals can be limited.

The transition follows discussions last year between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, resulting in an agreement to gradually absorb village health workers into government employment structures.

“Last year, we had an agreement with the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion that we should take responsibility for all health workers including the village health workers,” Dr Mombeshora said.

Treasury Constraints Slow Full Integration

Despite the policy commitment, progress has been constrained by limited Treasury allocations. Towards the end of last year, the Health Ministry was granted 5,284 posts, not exclusively for village health workers, and around 3,500 individuals were absorbed.

The minister confirmed that additional posts have been requested this year to continue the transition. Authorities hope that by the end of next year, all village health workers will be fully integrated into the government payroll and receiving monthly state salaries.

Salaries Tripled Under New Structure

As part of the reform, the government has reviewed remuneration levels. According to Dr Mombeshora, the former allowances will be converted into formal salaries valued at three times what workers previously received, following approval from Treasury.

The adjustment is intended to make compensation “meaningful” and sustainable, while improving morale among frontline community health staff.

However, lawmakers raised concerns about disparities between those already absorbed and those still funded by NGOs. The minister acknowledged the temporary gap but emphasised that NGO-supported workers continue receiving payments, albeit at lower levels than the proposed government salary scale.

Strengthening Primary Healthcare

Beyond salary reforms, the government is standardising operational support by distributing uniforms, bicycles, and work bags to village health workers across districts. These measures aim to improve mobility, identification, and service delivery efficiency.

Officials say the integration programme represents a strategic move to strengthen Zimbabwe’s primary healthcare system, enhance accountability, and ensure predictable, long-term support for community-based health services.

Zimbabwe village health workers national payroll