By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora has hailed the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) for achieving the World Health Organization’s Global Benchmarking Tool (WHO GBT) Maturity Level 3 (ML3) during the MCAZ Annual General Meeting.
This significant achievement marks Zimbabwe as the sixth African country to reach this important milestone, underscoring the robustness and effectiveness of the nation’s regulatory system for medicines and health products.
In his speech, the Health Minister expressed immense pride in the accomplishment, stating, “This milestone demonstrates that Zimbabwe’s regulatory system for medicines and health products is now internationally recognized for its robustness and effectiveness. Achieving ML3 signifies a stable and well-functioning regulatory system that meets WHO’s stringent global standards.”
The Minister commended the hard work and perseverance of the MCAZ team, noting that this achievement is a reflection of their commitment to ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of medicines in Zimbabwe.
“It is a proud moment for the nation as we move forward with greater confidence in our healthcare system,” he added.
However, the Minister emphasized the importance of not resting on their laurels. He pointed out that in their strategic planning, MCAZ has prioritized attaining GBT Maturity Level 4 (ML4) by 2025.
“The journey to ML4 is now before us, and I am confident that you will achieve this goal with the same dedication and determination that brought us to ML3,” he stated.
The achievement of ML3 not only enhances Zimbabwe’s standing in the region but also promises improved health outcomes for its citizens as the country continues to strengthen its regulatory capabilities in the pharmaceutical sector.