This
science-driven,
semi-autonomous
institution
is
designed
to
enhance
the
country’s
public
health
capacity
and
resilience.
What
began
as
an
ambitious
vision
has
now
become
a
concrete
reality,
reflecting
strong
national
leadership,
regional
collaboration,
and
global
support.
A
Strategic
Investment
in
Health
Security
and
Universal
Health
Coverage
National
Public
Health
Institutes
consolidate Essential
Public
Health
Functions
(ePHFs),
including
disease
surveillance,
laboratory
systems,
emergency
preparedness
and
response,
research,
and
workforce
development.
By
establishing
the
Public
Health
Institute
of
Zimbabwe
(PHIZ),
the
country
is
strengthening
its
capacity
to
prevent,
detect,
and
respond
to
public
health
threats,
while
advancing
Primary
Health
Care
(PHC)
and
Universal
Health
Coverage
(UHC).
The
journey
started
with
the
conceptualization
of
the
PHIZ,
led
by
the
Government
of
Zimbabwe
in
partnership
with
the
World
Health
Organization
(WHO)
and
supported
by
catalytic
funding
from
the European
Union under
the Global
Gateway
Team
Europe
Initiative
(TEI).
Zimbabwe
is
one
of
ten
African
countries
benefiting
from
this
initiative,
aimed
at
strengthening
public
health
security.
The
vision
was
clear:
to
create
a
centralized
hub
capable
of
coordinating
disease
surveillance,
emergency
preparedness,
research,
workforce
development,
and
evidence-based
policymaking,
while
addressing
both
infectious
and
non-communicable
diseases
(NCDs).
From
Vision
to
Launch
On
9
October
2025,
Zimbabwe
celebrated
a
historic
milestone
with
the official
launch
of
the
PHIZ.
Government
officials,
academic
institutions,
and
international
partners
gathered
to
define
a
shared
vision
and
roadmap
for
a
resilient
public
health
system.
Hon.
Dr.
Douglas
Mombeshora,
Minister
of
Health
and
Child
Care,
announced
that
he
would
personally
chair
the
PHIZ
Steering
Committee,
signaling
strong
commitment
to
accountability,
collaboration,
and
long-term
health
security.
Following
the
launch, the
Steering
Committee
was
inaugurated
on
12
December
2025,
marking
the
next
phase
in
operationalizing
the
PHIZ.
The
inauguration
was
deliberately
held
on Universal
Health
Coverage
Day,
highlighting
Zimbabwe’s
commitment
to
ensuring
that
all
people
have
access
to
quality
health
services
without
financial
hardship.
The
committee
was
tasked
with
providing
strategic
leadership,
oversight,
and
policy
direction,
ensuring
the
Institute
is
built
on
strong
governance,
integrity,
and
professionalism.
Speaking
at
the
event,
the
WHO
Representative
to
Zimbabwe, Dr.
Desta
Tiruneh,
emphasized
the
institute’s
critical
role:
“A
functional
National
Public
Health
Institute
is
not
a
luxury,
it
is
a
necessity
for
delivering
Universal
Health
Coverage
and
safeguarding
future
generations.”
And
added
“PHIZ
is
more
than
an
institution.
It
is
a
safeguard
for
the
nation.
It
is
a
symbol
of
preparedness.
It
is
an
investment
in
the
future
of
Zimbabwe.”
The
Minister
of
Health
reaffirmed
the
Government’s
vision
of
a
healthy,
resilient,
and
productive
population,
emphasizing
that
a
strong
public
health
institute
is
foundational
to
achieving Zimbabwe’s
Vision
2030 of
becoming
an
upper-middle-income
economy.
Learning
from
the
Region
Shortly
after
the
Steering
Committee
inauguration,
a
high-level
delegation
from
Zimbabwe
conducted
a learning
visit
to
the
Zambia
National
Public
Health
Institute
(ZNPHI) from
15
to
17
December
2025.
The
visit
allowed
Zimbabwean
health
officials
to
gain
practical
insights
on
governance
structures,
laboratory
systems,
operational
models,
and
multi-sectoral
coordination.
This
exchange
underscored
the
value
of
regional
collaboration,
enabling
Zimbabwe
to
adopt
best
practices
and
strengthen
its
public
health
infrastructure
within
a
broader
Southern
African
context.
PHIZ
Today:
A
Centre
for
Public
Health
Excellence
The
PHIZ
now
serves
as
Zimbabwe’s
nerve
center
for
public
health,
consolidating
functions
previously
scattered
across
different
government
units.
It
generates
timely
and
reliable
data,
coordinates
multi-sectoral
actions,
strengthens
emergency
preparedness,
and
promotes
scientific
excellence.
By
doing
so,
Zimbabwe
is
safeguarding
its
population
from
immediate
health
threats
while
laying the
foundation
for
long-term
health
security and Universal
Health
Coverage
(UHC).
From
conception
to
launch,
through
governance
structuring
and
regional
learning,
the
PHIZ
embodies
Zimbabwe’s
ambition,
resilience,
and
readiness
to
lead
in
public
health.
With
strong
national
leadership
and
committed
partners
including
WHO,
the
European
Union,
and
other
stakeholders,
PHIZ
stands
as
a
beacon
of
innovation,
preparedness,
and
scientific
excellence.
Its
establishment
is
a
commendable
example
of
political
commitment,
technical
leadership,
and
partnership-driven
health
system
strengthening,
charting
a
path
toward
a
healthier,
more
secure
future
for
all
Zimbabweans.
WHO
calls
upon
other
partners
to
support
the
PHIZ
and
rally
behind
this
transformative
national
vision
and
strategic
reform
in
the
health
sector.
Post
published
in:
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