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Leonard Ncube , Victoria Falls Reporter
VICE-PRESIDENT Costantino Chiwenga, who is also Health and Child Care Minister is expected to officially open the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) annual conference in Victoria Falls on Friday.

The all-stakeholders’ conference kicks off today at a local hotel and will end on Friday.

It will be a hybrid event with some delegates following virtually.

AHFoZ chief executive Mrs Shylet Sanyanga said the conference will be attended by stakeholders drawn from a cross section of stakeholders in the healthcare supply chain.

A majority of delegates had arrived in Victoria Falls yesterday with some expected this morning.

“This includes Ministry of Health officials, medical aid societies, healthcare providers and representatives of labour among others. The conference will focus on taking stock of the impact of Covid-19, the lessons learnt and also is a platform to share ideas on how to build on the lessons learnt in order to re-establish a robust healthcare system whose focus had been mainly on the pandemic at the expense of other healthcare issues such as prevention and management of non-communicable diseases,” she said.

The theme for the annual conference is: “’Pandemic, Panic, Leapfrogging and Transformation.’’
Mrs Sanyanga said Covid-19 guidelines will be in place and enforced during the meeting.

“Among other things issues of Mental Health will be discussed especially considering the impact of Covid-19 on mental wellness. Speakers will be from the Government, South Africa and United Kingdom (UK) via virtual connection. The Honourable Minister of Health and Child Care, Vice-President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Dr Chiwenga is the Guest of honour,” she said.

According to the programme, VP Chiwenga will officiate on Friday morning.

Speakers are drawn from the Zimbabwe Economic Society, Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ministry of Health and Child Care, International Federation of Health Plans, Zimbabwe Medical Association, Private Hospital Association in Zimbabwe, Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe and other partners.

Some of the discussions will be on the economic outlook and positioning the economy for recovery, with special focus on the healthcare sector, the role of research and progress in response to the Covid-19 and how the coronavirus triggered a sprint towards smarter health care as well as lessons learnt in the new normal will also be some of the topics for discussion.

This is also a platform where an update will also be given on crafting of the National Health Strategy and role of the private health sector.

There will also be an award ceremony to reward outstanding service providers and organisations that have changed the face of the community.

AHFoZ will also make a donation to a children’s home in Victoria Falls as part of the organisation’s corporate social responsibility. — @ncubeleon