Private Hospitals Face New Health Reporting Rules

Private healthcare institutions across Zimbabwe will be required to submit health statistics, service delivery activities and performance information to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, following a Cabinet resolution aimed at strengthening national health planning and accountability.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora announced the directive as Guest of Honour at Avenues Clinic’s nursing graduation ceremony which was held at the Celebration Centre. He explained that the decision seeks to ensure the contribution of private providers is fully reflected in national health statistics.

He noted that private institutions have made significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s health outcomes through service delivery, specialist care, training and infrastructure investment, yet their activities have not been adequately captured in national reporting systems.

“In this regard, the cabinet has resolved that all health institutions in Zimbabwe, including private health providers, should report their health statistics, service delivery activities and relevant performance information through the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” he stated.

Dr Mombeshora indicated that the move would improve national health indicators while strengthening planning, coordination, accountability and evidence-based decision-making.

He conceded, however, that the reporting framework remains under development, with the ministry open to engaging healthcare providers on practical concerns arising from the proposed reporting templates.

“The development of the reporting framework, including the reporting templates, is still a work in progress. We recognise that the initial template may raise practical concerns among healthcare providers, and we welcome constructive engagement,” he told the guests.

“The government,”  he added, “intends to establish an effective system that captures essential information without placing unnecessary administrative burdens on healthcare institutions.

“The underlying principle is simple, we are one country and one health system, and we must report as one. Whether healthcare is delivered in a public, private or mission institution, it contributes to the health and well-being of the same Zimbabwe population. Our national achievements must therefore be reflected collectively,” he emphasised.

The announcement comes as the government works to deepen collaboration between public, private and faith-based healthcare institutions in a bid to improve access to quality medical services.

The Minister commended Avenues Clinic for its longstanding contribution to specialist nursing education, pointing to its training programmes in intensive care and operating theatre nursing, as well as the more recent introduction of oncology and palliative care nursing.

Dr Mombeshora also welcomed the institution’s interest in broadening its offerings to include general nursing at diploma level.

According to the Minister, the ministry is keen to progressively open nurse training to more private institutions beyond the existing pilot project at Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa School of Nursing in Kadoma.

“In short, we are saying move forward and we will support you. However, this must be properly structured and informed by evidence,” he affirmed.

He urged Avenues Clinic and other interested institutions to keep engaging the ministry while the necessary reviews and evaluations are carried out.

Expanding private sector participation in nursing education, he cautioned, would demand careful consideration of institutional capacity, training quality, professional standards and patient safety.

The ceremony also honoured outstanding students from various healthcare institutions who walked away with more than one achievement, among them Moses Mudeya of Milton Park Medical Centre and Juliet Mashore of CIMAS, who received accolades for their numerous achievements.