THE government is making significant strides in enhancing the country’s healthcare infrastructure and services, thanks to its joint initiatives with the public sector and development partners, Health and Child Care deputy minister Sleiman Kwidini has said.

Kwidini made these remarks at the commissioning of the state-of-the-art National Pharmaceuticals (NatPharm) warehouse in Masvingo.

More than US$3,6 million was injected into the project through the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Fund.

The NatPharm Masvingo warehouse will serve close to 250 health institutions across Masvingo province.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme for their exceptional support and partnership in this endeavour,” Kwidini said.

“Their contribution has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.

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“This collaboration is a powerful testament to the impact of international cooperation and our shared commitment to improving lives across borders.”

Set on 2 460 square metres, work on the warehouse started in 2017 and was completed and handed over to NatPharm in 2020 for occupation. 

Besides the structure - warehouse space, offices, fire fighting system, UNDP also supported the warehouse through the installation of a 201-kW solar system and provision of storage and handling equipment.

“The UNDP’s involvement has enabled us to develop a modern facility that will significantly enhance our capacity to store, manage and distribute essential medicines and medical supplies,” Kwidini said. 

“This warehouse will serve as a critical hub for the region, ensuring that life-saving drugs reach those who need them most in a timely and efficient manner.”

The deputy minister said the warehouse was a crucial asset that would address historical challenges in healthcare logistics, including supply chain inefficiencies and distribution inequities. 

“With this facility, we are taking concrete steps towards eliminating the disparities that have previously affected our healthcare system,” Kwidini said.

“This warehouse will ensure that every corner of Masvingo and, indeed, the broader region, benefits from improved access to medical supplies.”

Kwidini said the successful completion of this project underscores the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration. 

“It reflects the joint efforts of government agencies, the private sector, international partners, and local communities. It is through such unified efforts that we can achieve,” he said.

UNDP resident representative Ayodele Odusola underscored the significance of this international partnership. 

“The Global Fund’s investment underscores the importance of global collaboration in addressing healthcare challenges,” he said.

“Since 2014, UNDP has worked alongside the Global Fund to invest nearly US$30 million in warehousing and storage improvements across Zimbabwe.

“Together with NatPharm and the Ministry of Health, we will ensure that these investments translate into improved healthcare delivery for all Zimbabweans.”

Odusola said the UNDP, through the Global Fund, has invested nearly US$30 million in the provision of warehousing in Masvingo, Mutare and preparatory works for Harare warehouses and improvement in storage enhancements at health facilities since 2014.

“There are ongoing efforts to renovate the Harare old warehouse and enhance Chinhoyi, Gweru and Bulawayo warehouses with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and solar installations,” he said.

He said in addition to the construction of the warehouses, UNDP’s ongoing support to the supply chain system, also includes the construction of pharmacy stores at health facilities to improve storage and space conditions.

“In total, 360 pharmacy stores have been constructed, titles of 178 of these completed stores have been transferred to the Health ministry and construction of about 140 stores has either been substantially completed or ongoing,” Odusola

Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution secretary Addmore Pazvakavambwa said the commissioning of the warehouse was in line with the provincial and national goals of improving healthcare access and infrastructure.