As they bear the brunt of Zimbabwe’s ailing healthcare system, individuals living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) also known as chronic diseases are sounding the alarm bells on the country’s reliance on external aid which is no longer sustainable.
With the recent withdrawal of US foreign aid support, the fragility of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system has been exposed, leaving many to wonder: what’s next? For those living with NCDs, the answer is clear, “Zimbabwe must fund healthcare from within”.
In the process of raising the alarm the “Wellness from Within” campaign was established and is driven by individuals living with NCDs, mental health, and neurological conditions who are both directly and indirectly affected by the funding shortfall. They are calling for a collective effort from all sectors of Zimbabwean society, including government, private businesses, and citizens, to contribute to a sustainable health funding model.
Zimbabwe NCDs Action Network (ZNAN) an entity dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by NCDs, mental health, and neurological conditions through advocacy, education, and health policy reform is advocating for Increased Domestic Health Funding, encouraging the government to allocate more of the national budget towards health honouring the Abuja Declaration in the process, which countries committed to allocate at-least 15% of their national budgets towards health.
Another domestic resource mobilization innovation is engagement with private sector, seeking partnerships with local businesses to sponsor health initiatives, particularly those aimed at prevention, treatment, and awareness of NCDs.
ZNAN also advocates for community mobilization by raising awareness among the populace about the importance of domestic resource mobilization for health, encouraging personal contributions and community-driven health projects. Policy Influence by lobbying for policy changes that will support increased domestic health spending and better resource management.
ZNAN is also calling for the fast tracking, of the establishment of the National Health Insurance which will go a long way in mitigating the tight fiscal space that our country is enduring.
Jacob Ngwenya the ZNAN executive director, also emphasized, “We have seen the impact of international aid, but it’s now time we look inward. Our health system should not be at the mercy of external funding fluctuations. ‘Wellness from Within’ is about building a health infrastructure that is robust, inclusive, and capable of meeting the needs of all Zimbabweans.”
“As the government of Zimbabwe considers its next steps, individuals living with NCDs urge policymakers to take bold action, prioritize domestic resource mobilization for healthcare and allocate a significant portion of the national budget to healthcare.
The time for change the health financing landscape is now. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Let us work together to build a healthcare system that is robust, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of all Zimbabweans. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and our communities to demand better. Let us rise to the challenge and create a brighter, healthier future for Zimbabwe. ZNAN
