The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development released only one-third of the funds allocated to the Ministry of Health and Childcare in the 2022 national budget.
This was revealed by the Health Minister, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga while addressing a 2023 Parliament pre-budget seminar in Harare on Monday.
Chiwenga said the underfunding of the health sector resulted in his ministry managing to procure only 14% of the required medicines. He said:
The 2022 annual budget for medicines and health facilities was $15 billion, and only $5 billion was released.
The comment from the public was that people were failing to access the most basic services, and their major concern was the need for critical equipment and services such as maternity.
The year 2022 faced cash challenges and this led to the inadequacy of critical medical supplies.
However, with the funds that we have availed, 14% of the required medicines were procured.
… The ministry takes note of the state of the infrastructure at some of the health institutions.
To address this, the ministry was allocated $18 billion, however, only 2,8 billion was disbursed.
I want to clarify this, for the health posts, we should have 1 700 ward-based health facilities if we are to give attention in terms of healthcare to every Zimbabwean.
Zimbabwe’s per capita (per person) spending on health is said to have dropped from US$45 in 2021 to US$20 this year.
The World Health Organisation recommends a per capita health expenditure of at least US$84 per year.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s 2022 per capita spending on health is US$85, South Africa (US$570 per person), and Malawi (US$35). | NewsDay