By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
LUSAKA, Zambia — Zimbabwe has urged African nations to prioritize sustainable domestic health financing, emphasizing the need for resilience and reduced reliance on external donor support.
Speaking at the WHO African Region 75th session (#WHOAFRO75) in Lusaka, Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. D.T. Mombeshora, stressed that recent withdrawals of donor funding exposed the fragility of health systems that depend heavily on external resources.
“For too long, our health systems have relied on external support. While this carried us through difficult times, recent funding withdrawals have shown the need for strong domestic financing and resilient national institutions,” Dr. Mombeshora said.
The Minister highlighted Zimbabwe’s efforts to increase domestic investment in health, noting that the national health budget allocation rose from 9.4% to 13%, signaling political commitment. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as levies on airtime, sugar, fast foods, and the AIDS levy, have been introduced, with funds ring-fenced for health priorities.
Zimbabwe is also rolling out a National Health Insurance scheme aimed at shielding citizens from catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses. The scheme will be financed through earmarked taxes and other complementary sources.
Dr. Mombeshora said last year’s national dialogue on health financing produced a roadmap focused on accelerating domestic funding, building consensus, and ensuring long-term sustainability. “This was consultative, inclusive, and anchored in national ownership,” he noted.
The Minister further emphasized the importance of resilience, which in Zimbabwe’s context includes strengthening primary healthcare, investing in human resources, upgrading infrastructure, and engaging communities with innovative technologies.
He also called on the private sector to contribute through partnerships, capital investment, and expertise. “The private sector brings not only resources but also innovation that complements government efforts in building stronger health systems,” he said.
Dr. Mombeshora concluded with a regional call to action: “Sustainable health financing is the cornerstone of strong national health institutions. Let us mobilize domestic resources, innovate in financing, and deepen private-sector partnerships so that Africa’s health systems not only survive, but thrive.”