Investing in health workforce: A catalyst for strong health system, economic and social progress in Zimbabwe

“We are committed to building a resilient health workforce that will drive the universal health coverage, economic and social progress of Zimbabwe," stated the Honourable Douglas Mombeshora, Minister of Health and Child Care, at  event held on Thursday marking the launch of the Health Workforce Strategy (2023-2030) alongside the Health Workforce Investment Compact.

This groundbreaking initiative signifies a robust collaboration among various ministries and international partners, including the EU, Ireland, UK Aid, and the United Nations. Their collective aim is to enhance Zimbabwe's health workforce quality, crucial for achieving universal health coverage and fostering inclusive economic growth and social progress.

Faced with a looming global health workforce shortage of 6.1 million by 2030, the event stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration. Dr. Ayodele Odusola, acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, emphasized the need for a transformative funding strategy, advocating for a 43% increase in health workforce employment funding. Supporting this, Minister Mombeshora lauded the compact as a crucial component of Zimbabwe's vision to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030, as detailed in the National Development Strategy 1.

This compact aligns with global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3 on health and well-being, and echoes the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter, which promotes collaboration and resource mobilization to address financial gaps.

As emphasized by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, "A robust health workforce is essential for a healthy society." Therefore, the strategy should focus on creating a well-balanced workforce, advancing education and training through innovative methods, and ensuring fair distribution of healthcare professionals between urban and rural regions. For instance, countries like Norway have implemented rural incentives and telemedicine programs to effectively distribute healthcare services across geographically diverse areas.

The World Health Organization has contributed technical expertise to ensure evidence-based policies and strong incentive structures, aspiring for equitable access to quality health services across Zimbabwe. Dr. Desta Tiruneh, WHO Representative, underscored the economic potential by stating, "For every dollar invested in a country's healthcare workforce, governments can expect four dollars in economic benefits." 

The World Health Organization identifies the health workforce as a fundamental element of any healthcare system. The effectiveness of such systems relies heavily on having skilled, motivated, and well-supported healthcare professionals. For instance, a country with an efficient healthcare workforce is better equipped to handle public health crises, such as quickly mobilizing resources and personnel during an outbreak, ensuring patient care and system resilience.

As Zimbabwe embarks on this transformative path, the compact unites stakeholders in strengthening the healthcare system. Government agencies, development partners, and private sectors are encouraged to support and align with the compact for cohesive progress towards health security and universal coverage. Dr. Odusola stressed, "Together, we can achieve universal health coverage and health security, setting a model for the region."

The rollout of Zimbabwe's Health Workforce Strategy and Investment Compact heralds a new era in its healthcare landscape. 

By integrating global best practices with local initiatives, Zimbabwe is poised to develop a health workforce that ensures economic prosperity and societal advancement, paving the way for a healthier future for all citizens.