The Ministry of Health and Child Care has launched an aggressive two-round polio vaccination campaign to “interrupt the transmission of polioviruses” across 20 high-risk districts, mobilising door-to-door teams to reach every child under five.

Round one runs 20–23 April 2026, with a second round scheduled for 2–5 June 2026.

The drive is part of a “coordinated regional effort alongside Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia”.

Targeted districts include Bulawayo’s Emakandeni, Northern Suburbs and Nkulumane; Harare City, Chitungwiza, Epworth and Ruwa, as well as Mutare, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Mbire, Mudzi, Kariba, Chiredzi, Binga, Hwange, Bulilima, Matobo and Gwanda.

“All children under five years of age in these districts must be vaccinated, regardless of their previous vaccination status,” the ministry said.

Vaccination teams are using “door-to-door outreach, fixed sites, and mobile units to ensure every child is reached”.

Health authorities urge parents to cooperate fully. No polio case has been announced, but the pre-emptive strike follows regional detection of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses.

The ZANU PF Youth League has strongly opposed a reported plan by businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo to donate US$3.6 million to the Parliament of Zimbabwe.

In a press statement issued by the Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs, Cde Hon. John Paradza, the League described the proposed gift as “misguided” and a threat to the independence of the legislature.

The reaction follows social media reports alleging that the businessman intends to fund the august House.

While the Youth League acknowledged Mr Chivayo’s right to engage in philanthropy, they warned that State institutions must not operate on handouts.

“Parliament is the backbone of democracy,” the statement read. “It cannot be seen as being bought or swayed through donations, whether in cash or kind, that appear transactional.”

The League argued that the Government has adequate capacity to support its own programmes.

They pointed to existing mechanisms such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Devolution Fund as evidence of the State’s ability to drive national development without private interference.

The Youth League further suggested that if the businessman wishes to help, he should focus on direct community initiatives.

They expressed concern that such a massive donation to a branch of Government could be perceived as an attempt to influence the Executive, Judiciary, or Parliament.

“We call upon Members of Parliament to take a stand against any attempt to bring the Parliament of Zimbabwe into disrepute,” Cde Paradza added.

Hemphasised that the nation’s progress is guided by the structured policies and fiscal discipline of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

In its conclusion, the League urged Parliament to officially refuse the donation. They stated that they would not hesitate to reprimand anyone using tactics that bring the name of the President into disrepute.

The Youth League maintains that Zimbabwe’s path toward Vision 2030 must remain self-reliant and transparent.

The Minister of Health and Child Care, Douglas Mombeshora, has called on nurses in selected health institutions to suspend their ongoing industrial action, as government moves to stabilise the environment for renewed negotiations.

The appeal comes amid growing concern over the impact of the strike on healthcare delivery, with authorities pushing for what the Minister described as a transparent and constructive engagement process.

During a recent address, Dr Mombeshora acknowledged the concerns raised by nurses and reaffirmed government’s commitment to resolving the matter.

“The government fully acknowledges the grievances raised by the nursing fraternity and remains committed to finding a sustainable resolution,” he said.

The industrial action, which began on April 20, 2026, was triggered by long-standing challenges faced by healthcare workers, including poor working conditions, rising transport costs, and dissatisfaction with recent salary adjustments.

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has expressed frustration over the salary review, indicating that the increment fell far below expectations and has left many nurses struggling to meet basic living expenses.

In response, government has convened an extraordinary technical meeting involving the Health Apex Panel and the Health Services Commission to urgently assess the situation and explore possible solutions.

While recognising the legitimacy of the nurses’ concerns, the Ministry has emphasised the need to strike a balance between improving worker welfare and maintaining essential healthcare services.

“Nurses must return to work to ensure that patients are not adversely affected while negotiations continue,” Minister Mombeshora stated.

The government maintains that dialogue remains the best path toward a lasting solution.

Union leaders had initially held off on industrial action to allow for legal processes and engagement with authorities.