Zimbabwe’s health sector is facing crippling challenges. These include underfunding, lack of adequate staff retainment, little to no innovation and sustainability. Furthermore, it is important to note that these are just a few challenges the sector is facing. Overcoming these challenges will propel the sector into an efficient health sector that provides products and services for Zimbabweans. This article will focus on ways the relevant ministry and stakeholders are working to bridge the funding gap.
Current Funding for the Health Sector
The Abuja Declaration states that AU members states commit 15% of member states’ budget towards health. However, Zimbabwe has fallen short of that since inception. Currently, only 9.8% of the nation’s budget goes towards health. This is not enough as the nation’s health sector is performing well below the bare minimum.
With that being said, the ministry of health is working on ways to try and bridge the finding gap. The sugar tax, fast food tax, health levy fund on airtime and data as well as the proposed National Health Insurance will significantly add to the sector’s financing.
Furthermore, the sugar tax is levy a charge on sugar containing beverages to fund health services especially non-communicable diseases. Also, fast food tax is a levy to minimise public consumption of fast food. Furthermore, the levy’s disbursement goes to the health sector. Additionally, the health levy fund supports health services focusing on medicines, blood and dialysis. These funds are some of the ways the ministry is bringing in mont into its coffers.
Universal Healthcare for All
Also, regarding the national health insurance, the ministry is expediting the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). According to the Minister, a draft bill is already in place. The current expectation is to take the bill to parliament by June this year. Approval and passing of the bill will restructure the health sector for the better. The NHIS will make healthcare services accessible to every Zimbabwean. It will also align with Section 76 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to basic healthcare.
Additionally, the government is exploring funding options. This may include contributions from employers, employees and taxes. However, Zimbabwe’s unemployment rate and prevalence of the informal sector may pose a challenge to this. The lack of formal records of the nation’s employers and employees might make it hard to finance the scheme. Apart from this, government’s exploration of funding is to reduce reliance on out-of-pocket payments, which currently leave many citizens vulnerable.
Conclusion
Zimbabwe’s health sector’s challenges are leaving vulnerable groups without access to quality healthcare. Lack of adequate funding poses a serious threat to the population’s life expectancy and contribution to development. Furthermore, it is important to note that this is one of the challenges the sector is facing. Overcoming challenges will propel the sector into an efficient health sector that provides relevant products and services for Zimbabweans.
