Zimbabwe Network for Health – Europe

Zimbabwe Network For Health

ZimHealth, Edith Opperman Maternity Clinic
The Zimbabwe Network for Health (ZimHealth) seeks to raise funds to procure and distribute medicines, diagnostics, vaccines and other commodities to contribute to the rehabilitation of the health facilities in Zimbabwe.

In the last decade Zimbabwe witnessed considerable declines in the delivery of both primary health care services and tertiary services at its referral hospitals. Recent data show that approximately 100 children are dying every day due to easily preventable diseases, while maternal mortality is at 725 per 100,000 live births, which is more than double its maternal mortality rate in 1990 (Source: 2007 Ministry of Health & Child Welfare, Maternal & Perinatal Study).

ZimHealth has received a number of requests from institutional and city authorities to assist with their attempts to rehabilitate the health system. These requests demonstrate that the needs are still overwhelming, ranging from basic needs such as cotton wool, surgical scissors sphygmomanometers and gowns to relatively major items, such as autoclaves, laundry machines, vehicles and ambulances. Although the provision of incentives for health workers and drug supplies have improved with efforts from the Government and the assistance from international partners, the needs are still overwhelming, and much more still needs to be done.

ZimHealth, Pelandaba Polyclinic

In October 2010, the Government of Zimbabwe launched its Health Sector Investment Case which provides a roadmap of the types of investments needed to put the country on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The Investment Case focuses on how to rebuild the health system by investing more in primary health care systems and strengthening referral systems at district and major urban hospitals. ZimHealth believes that the commitment of the many Zimbabweans in the Diaspora as well as the friends of Zimbabwe and other well wishers can contribute significantly to the Government’s effort to provide quality health services to its people.

Delivery of commodities donated by ZimHealth, Pelandaba Polyclinic, Bulawayo

In the past two years, ZimHealth has provided clinical and non-clinical commodities to the Edith Opperman Maternity Hospital situated within the Mbare Polyclinic complex in Harare, the Harare Maternity Hospital (part of the main Harare Central Hospital), Pelandaba Polyclinic in Bulawayo and the Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital also in Bulawayo. In 2011, ZimHealth will embark on more recent requests from Mutare, Masvingo and Gweru. The clinic profiles and the commodities supplied or to be supplied to these institutions can be viewed under the “Projects” page of this website.

Location of ZimHealth Projects

ZimHealth invites all Zimbabweans in the Diaspora and in Zimbabwe as well as friends of Zimbabwe and supporters to join us in our efforts to respond to this health crisis.

The Zimbabwe Network for Health (ZimHealth) seeks to raise funds to procure and distribute m edicines, diagnostics, vaccines and other commodities to rehabilitate the health facilities in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s once robust health-care services have declined in recent years, exacerbated by the AIDS epidemic, a serious economic crisis and the considerable exodus of skilled personnel including doctors and nurses.