Zimbabwe, UAE Sign Health Cooperation Agreement to Boost Medical Systems

Zimbabwe has entered into a health partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on improving healthcare systems in both nations.

The agreement outlines collaboration across various areas of healthcare, including primary and specialized care, emergency response, health financing, medical workforce development, and the adoption of technology to enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes.

This marks another strategic move by Zimbabwe to revamp its healthcare sector, coming just two months after similar agreements were signed with China and Belarus to support the rehabilitation of Parirenyatwa Hospital, the country’s largest referral medical facility.

Information Minister Jenfan Muswere, speaking during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, said the MoU is grounded in principles of mutual benefit, respect, and equality. The goal, he noted, is to build stronger healthcare systems through joint action.

“Cabinet approved the health cooperation agreement between Zimbabwe and the UAE, which is designed to promote joint development of healthcare infrastructure and services in both countries,” Muswere said.

He elaborated that the scope of the partnership includes:

• Primary Healthcare: Joint initiatives in areas such as reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health, as well as vaccination programs.

• Specialist and Secondary Care: Cooperation in specialized medical services, diagnostic labs, pathology, and blood transfusion services.

• Emergency Preparedness: Strengthening both countries’ capacity to respond effectively to health crises.

• Health Financing: Exploring innovative funding mechanisms and resource optimization to improve overall service delivery.

• Healthcare Workforce: Enhancing the training, retention, and development of medical professionals.

• Health Technology: Utilizing digital tools and systems to improve patient care, hospital efficiency, and data management.

The MoU comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s public healthcare institutions face mounting challenges, including critical shortages of medical equipment and drugs, dilapidated infrastructure, and the ongoing loss of skilled staff due to poor working conditions and low salaries.

The government hopes that international partnerships like this one will help modernize the country’s health sector and improve access to quality care for its population.