Minister Mombeshora Pushes for Stronger Health Workforce to Drive Vision 2030

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora has underscored the critical role of a robust and highly skilled health workforce in Zimbabwe’s quest to attain upper-middle-income status by 2030, saying a resilient health sector remains central to national development.

Speaking during the Human Resources for Health Dialogue Meeting in Harare, Dr Mombeshora said Government was intensifying efforts to build a fit-for-purpose health workforce capable of effectively responding to evolving disease burdens, emerging public health threats and climate-related health challenges.

He said strengthening human resources in the health sector was a strategic priority aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring the country is better prepared to meet growing healthcare demands.

As part of ongoing reforms, Dr Mombeshora revealed that Government had prioritised the absorption of 1,292 critical health cadres into the Ministry of Health and Child Care establishment following a comprehensive health workforce mapping exercise designed to identify staffing gaps across the country.

In addition, he said a further 532 posts had been earmarked for future integration as authorities work toward expanding healthcare capacity and addressing persistent shortages of skilled personnel.

To improve staff retention and boost morale, particularly in underserved areas, Dr Mombeshora said Government had also developed an US$11.8 million health worker retention scheme aimed at enhancing welfare and strengthening support systems for health professionals stationed in rural communities.

The initiative forms part of broader Government efforts to build a motivated, resilient and productive health workforce capable of advancing universal health coverage and accelerating Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation agenda under Vision 2030.

By Witness A Phiri