Dr Mombeshora Calls for Whole-Nation Approach to Public Health

Itai Mazire

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora has implored all sectors of Zimbabwe to recognise health as a national collective responsibility.

Dr Mombeshora said that the country’s well-being cannot be built by the health sector alone.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Public Health Institute of Zimbabwe (PHIZ), held recently, Dr Mombeshora said the institution must be embraced across ministries and communities.

“PHIZ does not belong to the Ministry of Health alone, but to Zimbabwe.

“Health is not created in hospitals alone; it is created through clean water, good roads, functioning justice systems, food security, science, innovation, well-managed finances, national defence and strong governance,” said Dr Mombeshora.

The PHIZ refers to the developing National Public Health Institute (NPHI), a government body being established with EU/WHO support to strengthen disease surveillance, data-driven policy and health security.

It works alongside existing institutions such as the Harare Institute of Public Health (HIPH), which focuses on training healthcare workers through various accredited programmes to build a skilled workforce. Essentially, it is about building a national entity (NPHI) for strategic public health oversight, supported by training institutions like HIPH.

Dr Mombeshora hinted that no single arm of government can carry the burden alone.

“No single sector can carry the public health agenda alone.

“The responsibilities cut across ministries, departments, agencies, development partners and communities.”

The call reinforces the government’s push for coordinated national action to strengthen public health systems nationwide.