FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO-Environmental Health Technicians (EHTs) have been urged to strengthen preparedness for El Niño-induced droughts and other climate related health threats with authorities calling for greater use of science and evidence to protect communities.
Speaking during the World Environmental Health Day commemorations held at Urban Lifestyles Hotel, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini said Environmental Health practitioners should anticipate risks rather than only respond to emergencies.
“Climate change is affecting health through floods, droughts, heatwaves, cyclones and shifting disease patterns,” Kwidini said.
“We will strengthen vulnerability assessments, early warning systems, air-quality monitoring and climate-resilient interventions. Environmental Health must anticipate risks not just respond.”
He said Zimbabwe continued to face several environmental health threats including cholera and other waterborne diseases, inadequate sanitation, food safety risks, air pollution, hazardous chemicals, occupational hazards and health-care waste.
“These risks are interconnected and demand a strong, coordinated, evidence-based Environmental Health response,” he said.
Kwidini said government is committed to strengthening Environmental Health as a core pillar of the health system as the country implements the NDS-2 and the National Health Strategy (2026–2030).
He urged EHTs to use data to identify and prioritise risks, particularly those affecting vulnerable communities.
“Data must drive action. Environmental information should directly inform preparedness and public health decision-making,” he said.
Kwidini also called on Environmental Health practitioners to embrace science and innovation, apply the law professionally and objectively, report environmental threats courageously and work collaboratively with communities and other sectors.
“Let us build a profession recognised not just for inspections, but for identifying risks, influencing decisions and delivering measurable improvements in population health,” he said.
The commemorations, organised by the Health Department of the City of Masvingo were held from the 9th to the 10th of September under the theme “Environmental Health: Standing with Science to Protect Communities.”
The event brought together Environmental Health Technicians from across the country to discuss environmental health challenges and strategies to strengthen disease prevention.
World Environmental Health Day is officially commemorated on September 26 each year, with activities focusing on environmental health awareness, clean air and water, environmental clean-ups and sustainable practices.
The City of Masvingo also sought to co-host the commemorations earlier before the actual date alongside the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbabwe World Tourism Expo giving visiting EHT practitioners an opportunity to visit some of the city’s tourist attractions.
The initiative was aimed at combining environmental health awareness with tourism promotion while giving delegates an opportunity to experience and appreciate Masvingo’s tourism potential.
