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Zimbabwe: 'Health Sector Key to Economic Revival'
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 Published by the government of Zimbabwe |
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The Herald (Harare)
28 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008
Victoria Ruzvidzo
Harare
Zimbabwe's economy cannot be resuscitated effectively if the health sector is malfunctioning hence the Government, through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, is spearheading efforts for its face lift.
Addressing guests at the launch of Phase 1 of the Medical Sector Skills Retention Programme in Harare yesterday, RBZ Governor Dr Gideon Gono said the central bank was aware of the intricate synergies that existed between the economy and the health sector.
Health had been the worst affected by skills flight as many sought greener pastures in the region and abroad. "Your Excellency, the First Phase of the Medical Sector Skills Retention Programme is yet another noble intervention which you have put in place, and which will have far-reaching benefits to the nation. "As the central bank we fully subscribe to flexible responses and innovative interventions for the strategic retention of skills in our economy," said Dr Gono. Other programmes for such sectors as tourism, mining, small businesses, telecommunications, water and sewage services would be unveiled soon.
The health sector was yesterday presented with ambulances, passenger vehicles, buses, generators and television sets worth US$8,8 million. These were meant to improve staff working conditions while equipping hospitals and clinics to improve service delivery.
An initial deposit of US$1,7 million was paid with the balance payable in monthly instalments of US$100 000. "With focus we can achieve much much more without breaking the back of this economy," he said to much applause. To extend the dispensation given to general exporters, the central bank was also working on exempting all medical institutions earning foreign currency from the surrender requirements as a strategy of building capacity and for key skills in the sector to be paid in foreign currency.
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The central bank would also prioritise the importation of medical drugs while an additional supply of Anti Retroviral Drugs for 5 000 patients was scheduled for delivery to complement initiatives by the National Aids Council. The HIV and Aids menace had a multi-dimensional negative impact on the economic turnaround programme, which ranged from reduced industrial productivity and high mortality rates while also compromising Zimbabwe's global competitiveness as an economic player.
Dr Gono said the brain drain was, to a large extent, a result of sanctions imposed on the country, which were fast eroding the welfare of all Zimbabweans. The health sector had lost key staff such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses and laboratory technicians, among others. However, such programmes as the Medical Skills Retention intervention, would put a stop the staff exodus while improving health services in hospitals and clinics. The onus now lay on medical practitioners to use the resources allocated to them effectively.
"To our medical practitioners, we call on them to deploy the resources being extended to them in this and future phases productively and to remain professional and dedicated to their calling remembering what Napoleon meant when he said "You medical people will have more lives to answer for in the other world than even we the generals.", said Dr Gono.
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