Pretty Manyewe
Zimbabwe`s revised foreign policy, pursued by the second republic is now reaping consistent dividends as evidenced by the continued support the country has been receiving from its global partners.
In the latest show of confidence in President Mnangagwa`s administration, the Government of Japan and the United Nations Population Fund have signed a US$1.3 million partnership grant in a project that will fund maternal health in Zimbabwe.
This comes at a time where the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges which were caused by multiple facto.s including previous droughts leading to a weakened health system, particularly the maternal health.
Illegal sanctions have also affected the country`s capacity to fund its health processes and systems.
This negatively impacted on the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
Through the project “Strengthening Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care in Covid-19 hotspots in Zimbabwe,” Japan will provide support to improve the provision of maternal health care services within the context of Covid-19.
In a joint press conference, the Government of Zimbabwe, The Government of Japan and the UNFPA, they mentioned that the support will include the procurement of medical and expendable supplies including PPEs to manage obstetric emergencies, prevent and control infection.
It also includes the procurement of ambulances for several hospitals in order to improve emergency care, the training of maternity providers in emergency obstetric care and management of Covid-19 during pregnancy.
UNFPA Zimbabwe Country Representative, Dr Esther Muia said, “This project aims to reverse the negative tide in maternal and perinatal outcome and increase the resilience of the health system to cope with the Covid-19. This will help to avert preventable maternal and perinatal deaths through strengthening the capacity of the central hospitals and maternity polyclinics. We are extremely grateful for this support by the Government of Japan and look forward to even greater co-operation in the future to change the lives of women, children and families.”
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