Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in underserved communities, with Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora emphasising that the country’s Vision 2030 can only be achieved if every citizen has equitable access to quality health services. Speaking through Acting Permanent Secretary Dr Stephen Banda during the launch of the Community Health Equity Fund (CHEF) at Hopely in Harare on Wednesday, Dr Mombeshora said the new initiative marks an important step in transforming health outcomes for vulnerable populations while reinforcing the foundations of resilient local health systems.
He explained that CHEF directly supports Government’s broader ambition of establishing a robust national health insurance framework that ensures no Zimbabwean is left behind in the journey toward universal health coverage. Dr Mombeshora said Zimbabwe’s aspiration of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 depends heavily on a healthy population, and this requires deliberate investments in community-based healthcare.
“The vision of this country is to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. The vision of my ministry is to achieve the highest possible level of health and quality of life for all citizens by 2030. We are committed to this vision,” he said. “To achieve this vision, we must ensure we address the healthcare needs of underprivileged communities like Hopely.”
The CHEF scheme offers a low-cost community health insurance model where residents can enroll by paying a once-off US$1 registration fee and an annual US$2 subscription. Officials say the affordability of the fund is intended to break long-standing financial barriers that prevent residents of informal and low-income settlements from seeking timely medical care.
Govt Pledges Major Improvements to Community Health Services
The initiative has been seeded with US$709 000 from the UNFPA Strategic Investment Facility, a contribution that will support the rollout of the pilot phase and help strengthen primary healthcare services within participating communities. Once registered, members are exempt from paying routine clinic fees charged by Harare City Council. They also gain access to a basic benefits package that includes consultations, essential medicines and membership in community wellness clubs designed to promote preventive healthcare.
Importantly, CHEF unlocks a comprehensive suite of maternal health services that many low-income families have struggled to afford. Registered mothers will be eligible for antenatal check-ups, delivery services at council clinics, ultrasound scans, caesarean sections where needed and post-natal care. While some specialised services may require nominal co-payments, officials say the reduction in overall maternity costs will help safeguard the health of mothers and newborns. Laboratory and radiology services will also be available to fund members.
Dr Mombeshora noted that the new framework is aligned with Government’s push for increased domestic health financing. He said CHEF is one of several strategies meant to cushion citizens from high out-of-pocket health expenditures, encourage long-term savings for healthcare needs and increase community participation in the management of local health programmes. The fund’s motto — “My Health, Our Health – Utano Hwedu” — underscores the idea that individual wellbeing contributes to the wellbeing of entire communities.
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume, who attended the launch, said the city was already preparing its infrastructure to handle increased service demand resulting from expanded healthcare access. He emphasised the need to expand the existing clinic infrastructure at Hopely, particularly to create a fully equipped maternity wing capable of handling the expected rise in deliveries.
“There is a need to extend this clinic so it contains a fully-fledged maternity wing,” Mafume said. “Our mothers deserve dignified spaces to give birth, and we must respond with urgency.” He added that council also intends to construct a theatre at the facility to reduce referrals to major hospitals and strengthen clinical capacity at community level.
UNFPA Representative Ms Miranda Tabifor said the fund symbolises what can be accomplished when stakeholders work together with a shared vision. She noted that the collaboration between Government, UNFPA and community structures demonstrates a growing recognition of the need to improve access to primary healthcare for vulnerable groups.
“This Fund is a shining example of what can be achieved when stakeholders unite with a shared purpose to address the health needs of vulnerable communities,” she said.
The project will be piloted in Harare’s Southern District, starting with Mbare and Hopely, before being gradually expanded across the capital from 2026. Officials hope the pilot phase will provide valuable insights into how community health insurance schemes can be scaled nationally.
Residents have responded positively to the initiative, highlighting how even small costs can ease heavy financial burdens. A Hopely mother, Mrs Petronella Gatsi, said the programme would bring relief to families who often struggle to choose between medical care and basic household needs.
“For years we have had to choose between buying food and paying clinic fees. With this programme, at least our children can be treated without us panicking about money,” she said.
Mr Terrence Chidemo of Mbare echoed similar sentiments, noting that the scheme is finally tailored to the realities of informal workers. “US$3 a year for healthcare is something we can manage. For the first time, we feel that a policy has been designed with ordinary people in mind,” he said.
As CHEF begins its rollout, officials say its success could pave the way for a more inclusive national health insurance system that ensures every Zimbabwean can access essential health services regardless of income or location.
