Health delivery in Zimbabwe has completely collapsed under ZANU PF stewardship.  The Ministry of Health has been reduced to a mere observer on health issues with little to no action being taken to tackle our nation’s health crisis.  

Zimbabwe has one of the highest proportions of orphaned children in the world.  Almost 40% of our nation’s children have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS or are vulnerable to abuse, disease or malnutrition. 

The fear of stigmatization still deters many Zimbabweans from being tested for HIV and has led to distorted statistics and policy formulation.  Stigma and discrimination remain serious impediments in the fight against the HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe, yet the ZANU PF government’s anti-stigmatization campaign has been mild or non-existent.  Under ZANU PF, those who are tested for HIV/AIDS face difficulties when they attempt to access necessary treatments, care and counseling.  Adding to the problem, nutritional levels in Zimbabwe are extremely low and pose a constant threat to the lives of those infected with HIV and AIDS.

A ZPDP government will work towards restoring and expanding the full capacity of the national health delivery system in Zimbabwe. Our government will put more emphasis on dealing with HIV/AIDS, malaria, cholera, TB and child immunization, as well as the anti-stigmatization of HIV and AIDS.  A ZPDP government will collaborate with the World Health Organization WHO, and other international aid organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious groups, community groups and families to develop health education and support programmes that will be spearheaded by student and youth groups as well as religious and traditional leaders. 

These programmes will focus on preventative, reproductive and recuperatory health as well as the reduction of infant mortality rates.  They will target HIV/AIDS and other opportunistic diseases that can be eliminated or controlled through better sanitation, nutrition and monitoring of personal habits and lifestyles.  A ZPDP government will ensure that healthcare is affordable and accessible for every Zimbabwean and that Zimbabwe’s elderly population is given extra protection and care.

A ZPDP government will also take steps to stop and reverse Zimbabwe’s loss of healthcare personnel, which has become a major constraint to national health delivery.  We will work to develop remuneration packages and conditions of service that are attractive for the training and retention of healthcare professionals, most of whom are choosing to work abroad, where they are better remunerated.

We will embark on capacity building in the health delivery system to expand existing hospitals and build new ones - especially in the major cities and urban areas. There will be government collaboration with, and regulation of private health providers as well as the operations of private funeral parlors.  We will solicit private sector funding for health care with a view to entering strategic partnership with private equity owners willing to invest in health care delivery for capacity building and expansion.