Published by the government of Zimbabwe
3 December 2008
Harare — ON Monday, Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Aids Day whose theme here was: "Zimbabwe -- proven leadership in HIV prevention: scale up treatment, care and support now".
The occasion was graced by Vice President Joice Mujuru and Vice President Joseph Msika. Both leaders emphasised that health delivery is everyone's responsibility.
To revive the health sector, business, civil society and other organisations were encouraged to join hands in raising funds.
Cde Mujuru rightly pointed out that such a private-public partnership can go a long way in creating a sound delivery system especially in fighting HIV and Aids infected and affected people.
Those in the Diaspora can also contribute to the revival of the health sector.
In many countries, the government is no longer the sole engine of development and main provider and financier of health services.
The trend is that government and the private sector enter into partnerships, which can ensure increased access to quality services by all segments of a population.
Indeed there is growing awareness that an inter-sectoral approach to health service delivery is more efficient and cost effective than separate, unco-ordinated efforts.
It is against this background that we welcome the call by the country's top leadership that Government and private sector should enter into partnerships to revive the health sector.
Partnerships essentially involve three by partners -- private doctors, the corporate sector and the Government as the custodian of public health institutions.
The call for private public assistance and funding is coming at a time when our public health institutions are facing a myriad of challenges.
These include shortages of drugs and equipment, overcrowded mortuaries and general collapse of infrastructure.
And among the listed urgent needs for most public hospitals are boreholes, expanded mortuaries, beds, computers, equipment for theatres and other specialist sections like intensive care and eye units.
Partnerships involve two or more entities from the public and private sectors that engage in a joint endeavour to achieve common goals and objectives.
Improving the health delivery system is imperative drawing on the challenges of HIV and Aids and other communicable diseases as a greater incentive for people to unite and improve the health service.
Cholera, in concert with other diseases like HIV and Aids, malaria and tuberculosis, renders a nation weak and vulnerable.
True, the delivery of the health service is the responsibility of Government, but it cannot be done without the support of the private sector and other organisations.
There is no doubt that Zimbabwe's health system has been hit by inflation, economic problems and illegal sanctions, hence the call that private sector and other organisations should take part to improve our health delivery system.
As Zimbabweans celebrate World Aids Day they should remember that there is still no cure on sight for Aids which has killed millions the world over.
The devastating effect that Aids is having on young people should be one of the biggest concerns to those involved in fighting the epidemic, not least because schools provide one of the most cost effective and efficient ways of reaching young people.
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Stop the government from stealing the aid money would be a good start. Although the Herald and its reporters are probably paid with this money!