Govt Responds To Reports On WHO, UNICEF Suspension From COVID-19 Programs

Statement by the Ministry of Health and Child Care refuting claims that the Government has suspended WHO and UNICEF from participating in COVID-19 programs.

Harare, 26 February 2021. The Ministry of Health and Child Care notes with concerns an article published by the Zimbabwe Independent on 26 February 2021 alleging that the Government, through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Air commodore Dr Jasper Chimedza, has suspended the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) from participating in COVID-19 programs.

The Ministry would like to herein dismiss the claim as malicious and intended to cause unnecessary alarm and despondency.

In addition, the Ministry wishes to put it on record that no communication suspending either or both WHO and UNICEF, nor any other partners from participating in the national effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 was ever made.

The Ministry values all partners’ support and will continue to work with them in all public health-related matters.

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Lastly, the Ministry calls upon members of the media to practise responsible journalism and desist from publishing unverified reports and falsehoods.