Following the invitation by the Director General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Zimbabwe successfully participated in the 77th Session of the World Health Assembly.
The 77th Session of the World Health Assembly was attended by participants from member states, development partners, private organisations, and civil society.
1.4 My delegation and I were welcomed at the Geneve International Airport by the Acting Zimbabwean Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of Zimbabwe to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Mr Nesbert Samasuwo.
Zimbabwe welcomed its election into the 155th Session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board and pledged its commitment towards the implementation of the World Health Assembly resolutions and decisions. Zimbabwe applauded the Republic of Rwanda for its relentless contributions during its tenure of office. Zimbabwe’s participation in the Executive Board will be instrumental in advancing national health priorities.
The minister embraced the decision to expedite the conclusion of both the Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response and review of the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR). The decision taken was to continue negotiations steered by the same International Negotiating Body (INB) and report to the 78th World Health Assembly following the convening of a Special Session. The delegation appreciated the adoption of critical IHR Amendments of 2005 about the following:
Introducing a definition of a pandemic emergency to trigger more effective international collaboration in response to events that are at risk of becoming or have become a pandemic.
a commitment to solidarity and equity in strengthening access to medical products and financing.
· establishment of the States Parties Committee to facilitate the effective implementation of the amended Regulations; and
· creation of National IHR Authorities to improve coordination of implementation of the Regulations within and among countries.
Zimbabwe further acknowledged the adoption of the comprehensive 14th General Programme of Work (GPW14) to be implemented from 2025 to 2028. This was an important Agenda Item of the WHO, whose broad goal is to promote, provide and protect the health and well-being of all people everywhere by managing health challenges and addressing the impact of the climate crisis on health.
The Zimbabwean experts witnessed the launch of the WHO Investment Round, which outlined progress made concerning modalities and the investment case, financial elements and resource mobilization. Zimbabwe looks forward to the implementation of the proposed strategies to finance the investment round, which will augment assessed member states contributions. Of major significance is the high-level engagement of the G20 Member States during the upcoming 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit.
The delegation was receptive to the updates on matters presented by the Director General especially those related to the acceleration of the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Matters of critical importance included addressing social determinants of health, maternal, infant and young child nutrition; wellbeing and health promotion; climate change; pollution and health as well as economics and health for all.
The Minster welcomed decisions and resolutions to strengthen the role of WHO in supporting Member States as well as enhanced regional and global collaboration on critical health matters. During the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, a series of strategic roundtables were held. During these sessions, WHA delegates, partner agencies, representatives of civil society and WHO experts discussed current and future priorities for public health issues of global importance. Your Excellency, I am confident that resolutions of the 77th session of the WHA will assist Zimbabwe in shaping its national health objectives, especially the agenda to attain Universal Health Coverage.
SUMMARY OF ENGAGEMENTS ON THE SIDELINES OF THE WORL HEALTH ASSEMBLY
Fourteen,14 business meetings on the sidelines of the WHA. The meetings covered critical health sector needs, mostly around fostering ties with key development partners and investors for the sector. The meetings held are as outlined hereunder. Please note that this report only focused on critical meetings, and the remaining ones will be outlined in the detailed report to be submitted at a later stage.
MEETING WITH ZIM-HEALTH
On the 27th of May 2024, team meet with ZimHealth a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) registered in Switzerland, comprised of Zimbabwean health professionals residing in European countries supporting health programs in Zimbabwe. One of the major projects that they supported was the upgrading of Mabvuku Poly Clinic. ZimHealth supported the construction of the new version of the theatre. l noted with concern that despite the innovation the number of operations that are being conducted at Mabvuku in the new theatre is still very low. This is due to the number of operational challenges within the City Health Department, and these include a shortage of staff and inconsistent policies especially the policy of wanting to continue to charge user fees.
After meeting the Zim-Health l undertook to engage Harare City to ensure that the facility functions to the expectations. This will go a long way in decongesting our Central Hospitals. We also agreed to expand the scope of cooperation to cover and gather a critical health workforce.
THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE HIV RESPONSE TO 2030 AND BEYOND
On the 27th of May 2024, as a panellist the meeting which was hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The meeting objectives were to bring together policymakers the funders to discuss the critical issues and strategies that ensure that HIV and AIDS responses globally are sustainable. As a panellist, l presented on Zimbabwe’s progress towards sustainability towards HIV and AIDS response. I informed the meeting that Zimbabwe surpassed the 95-95-95 target and I also managed to share some of the critical challenges that we still have in our HIV response and the strategies that we are taking care of.
I further informed the participants of the progress that Zimbabwe has made in developing its HIV Sustainability Roadmap and assured the meeting that the roadmap will be finalised by December 2024. It was my pleasure also inform the meeting of the innovative financing mechanisms that Zimbabwe was putting in place to ensure the country’s leadership and this conclude the establishment of the AIDS Trust Fund and also the proposed plan to establish the National Health Insurance (NHI).
THE AFRICAN UNION HEALTH ROADMAP TO 2030 AND BEYOND AND THE EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT ON HEALTH
A meeting of Ministers of Health from the African Region was Organised by the African Union Commission, the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) and AUDA-NEPAD for all Ministers of Health.
The objective of the meeting was to brief the member states of African Countries on the progress made towards the development of African Health for 2030. I noted with satisfaction efforts being made by African leaders to eliminate HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria in African Countries and at the same time address Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health as well as tackle the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
MINISTERIAL CONSULTATIONS ADVANCING LOCAL MANUFACTURING OF HEALTH COMMODITIES IN AFRICA
On the 26th of May 2024, African Health Ministers meeting was organised by the Africa CDC and the Commission for African Union on local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and other health commodities. The meeting updated ministers on the progress made regarding the resolutions by the Heads of State in accelerating the local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in Africa.
It is sad to note that Africa does not produce adequate medicines and vaccines that are required and more than 60% of these health products are important regions. Such a position compromises the African Region’s capability to respond to outbreaks and any other strategies that are used to eliminate diseases in Africa.
The meeting stressed the urgent need to accelerate the local manufacturing drive in Africa and ensure the functionality of regional bodies such as the African Medical Authority. In the meeting, Ministers received reports and plans from different development partners, particularly the Global Vaccine Alliance’s initiative to support Africa to manufacture vaccines.
Furthermore, the meeting also discussed progress made on the Development of the Pandemic Agreement and division of International Health Regulations. The Pandemic Agreement was motivated by the need for countries to work together towards Pandemic Preparedness, Surveillance and response especially following the devastating effects of COVID-19.
The agreement in a nutshell seeks to bring together all the resources of the world in an equitable form and some of the important clauses include the exchange of Health Technology among countries and, the need to support local manufacturing of critical health commodities. The African Region Ministers of Health agreed and emphasised the need for an agreement based on equity and a win-win situation.
BILATERAL MEETING WITH MS LISA STEVENS, DIRECTOR OF THE IAEA PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR CANCER AND MR MAY ABDEL WAHAB, DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF HUMAN HEALTH, IAEA DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS
On the 28th of May 2024, the delegation met with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regional Director in Geneva. Discussions were on the flagship programmes implemented by IAEA, in particular the Rays of Hope.
The programmes seek to support countries to enhance access to radiotherapy and radiology services. The collaboration has great potential to unlock the much-needed support for Zimbabwe. I was informed of the critical training opportunities that the IAEA has in the field of nuclear medicine. Zimbabwe is already in close contact with the IAEA, and we are confident that their support will assist in addressing gaps in addressing non-communicable diseases, especially the cancer burden.
MEETING WITH MR MARK EDINGTON, HEAD OF THE GLOBAL FUND GRANTS DIVISION
On the 28th of May 2024, the minister met the Head of Global Fund Grants, Mr Mark Edington at the Global Health Campus. The Global Fund (GF) reiterated its commitment to continue supporting the Zimbabwe Health System. The Global Fund has invested about 2.8 billion USD in the fight against HIV, TB and Malaria in Zimbabwe.
The GF expressed satisfaction with the high grant performance by Zimbabwe. Examples include the achievement of the 95.95.95 HIV/AIDS targets and, a 25% reduction in TB incidence amongst other numerous Health Systems achievements. I had an opportunity to invite the GF to support our Health Workforce Strategy and Investment Compact, for which they pledged support.
AMPLIFYING SYNERGIES BETWEEN NGOS, MULTILATERAL AND ACADEMIA TO BENEFIT SURGICAL PATIENTS
On the 30th of May 2024, a panellist at a side event organized by Operation and Smile and its partners. I shared the progress made in implementing the National Surgical Anaesthesia plan for Zimbabwe. I highlighted that Zimbabwe became the fifth (5th) country in the SADC Region to develop a surgical strategy as guided by the WHA resolution to strengthen surgical services in member states. I also shared some of the challenges that the country is still facing in this area.
The meeting presented opportunities for collaboration with several institutions who expressed willingness to work with Zimbabwe as it implements its National Surgical Obstetrics and Anaesthesia Strategy.
1.1 MEETING WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) DIRECTOR FOR NCDS
On the 30th of May 2024, I met with the director for NCDs at WHO Headquarters. The meeting was a follow-up on my engagements with WHO, (during a conference in Chile and their subsequent visit to Zimbabwe) to support Zimbabwe’s access to the available funds to support cervical cancer control.
I shared the draft plan for Zimbabwe and WHO undertook to consider the draft and engage development partners for possible support. Zimbabwe will continue to mobilise resources through its ongoing engagements with development partners. WHO requested to be invited to these meetings and to support Zimbabwe in mobilising resources so that the plan can be implemented.
1.2 HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON ENDING CHOLERA
On the 30th of May 2024, I participate in a panel discussion with the Director General of WHO, Africa CDC Director General among other leading organisations in Public Health. The meeting was aimed at discussing ways of ending Cholera in the world.
I shared Zimbabwe’s experience in managing cholera outbreaks. I indicated our challenges and strongly emphasised the need for equitable distribution of the cholera vaccine.
I had an opportunity to engage GAVI to consider Zimbabwe’s allocation of the vaccines whilst we address the bigger determinants of cholera, which are water and sanitation.
1.3 BILATERAL MEETING WITH MR DEEPAK MEHTAR, THE CEO OF GLOBAL GASES GROUP (UAE)
On the 31st of May 2023, I met with Global Gases Group, a UAE-based company, and the biggest gas producer in the world. The company expressed interest in investing in Zimbabwe in liquid medical oxygen infrastructure development (health care) and clean energy sector-liquid petroleum gas (LPG), coal bed methane and natural gas liquefaction. The company indicated the possibility of a Public Private Partnership, which I requested them to submit with details.
I welcomed the proposal and undertook to engage my counterpart in Energy and ZIDA to explore the proposed investment initiative.
Our meeting focused mostly on operationalising the supply of 70 haemodialysis machines and consumables to Zimbabwe by the Iranian Consortium on Dialysis Group. We agreed to expedite the signing of the Agreement. My Ministry is fast-tracking the conclusion of this process.
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 There is a need for the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) to continuously review and align policies and strategies to the 14th WHO General Programme of Work and national health aspirations.
2.2 There is an urgent need to expedite the conclusion of the Agreement between MOHCC and the Iranian Consortium on Dialysis to pave the way for the supply of haemodialysis equipment and consumables.
2.3 There is a need for MOHCC and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development as well as ZIDA to meet and consider the Gas production investment proposal (when submitted)
2.4 There is a need for Zimbabwe to expedite payment of its 1 million USD contribution to the Global Fund.
2.5 There is a need for Zimbabwe to attend the upcoming IAEA Convention in Vienna to cement cooperation with the IAEA.