Harare — ZIMBABWE is seeking at least US$40 million to achieve 60 percent functional levels for the health sector in 100 days starting April 28, a government official has said.

Currently, the sector is operating at round 20 percent functional levels. Gerald Gwinji, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, said the US$40 million would be allocated towards three main areas namely human resources, medicines and infrastructure for critical departments such as theatres, radiology, laundry and kitchens.

At a health indaba held in March, the Ministry came up with an ambitious list of objectives to be achieved during the lifespan of the inclusive government.

But following the Cabinet's retreat in Victoria last month a decision was then made to concentrate on the major areas that would enable the Ministry to achieve modest results in the next 100 days.

"We would be looking at four major hospitals in the country; Harare, Parirenyatwa, United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mpilo, to repair broken equipment from these hospitals," said Health and Child Welfare Minister, Henry Madzorera.

"Our permanent secretary (Gwinji) came up with a budget on the costing of programmes. We are now working with a small budget as we have to look for money for these programmes to work," he added.

Madzorera said his Ministry was working towards raising drug supplies and consumables from 20 percent to 60 percent by the end of the 100 days imposed by the inclusive government.

Harare Central Hospital has been given first priority as it is in a worse state than Parirenyatwa Hospital. To date, the hospital has received US$1 million for its rehabilitation from the US$3,4 million budget allocated to the hospital by government this year.

"The health sector has been working mostly from resources from humanitarian and donor agencies that have funded activities such as human resources retention, essential drugs, programmes such as HIV and Aids, TB and malaria. The budget from the State may be small but the activities are at the level they are because of donor support," said Gwinji.

The health sector has been surviving for the past five years without adequate funding from government resulting in infrastructure dilapidating, drug shortages, corrupt and fraudulent activities by health workers due to poor working conditions.

Patients have failed to receive proper medication in most hospitals throughout the country due to the lack of drugs or the unavailability of health personnel who have fled the country in search of greener pastures.