National Health Strategy for Zimbabwe, 2016-2020.

This Policy envisions Zimbabwe to have the highest possible level of health quality of life for all its citizens. The 2016-2020 National Health Strategy builds on the 2009-2013 strategy and its extension in 2014- 15 by addressing existing gaps and, more importantly, seeks to sustain the gains achieved thus far through a comprehensive response to the burden of disease and strengthening of the health system to deliver quality health services to all Zimbabweans. A review of existing reports, data and evidence in the health sector shows that the citizens are bedeviled by communicable and non-communicable diseases; Zimbabwe is prone to epidemic diseases including diarrhoeal disease and outbreaks of anthrax and rabies are common, highlighting the critical importance of public health surveillance and a disaster preparedness and response programme; HIV prevalence remain relatively high at 15% amongst adults and gains achieved to date are threatened by the deteriorating indicators and risky behaviors amongst the youth and increasing number of teenage pregnancies; deaths due to TB remain high due to its twin relationship with HIV and AIDS; and malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the country and more so in some geographic areas. In the instant, the mission of the Policy is to provide, administer, coordinate, promote and advocate for the provision of equitable, appropriate, accessible, affordable and acceptable quality health services and care to Zimbabweans while maximising the use of available resources in line with the Primary Health Care Approach. To this end, the Policy has four priorities; communicable diseases; non-communicable diseases; reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescents; and public health surveillance and disaster preparedness and response. The Policy is guided by the following principles; equity in health status and health care; gender equality; essential quality services; cost effectiveness; efficiency; appropriateness; social solidarity; affordability; client and provider satisfaction; transparency and accountability; ownership and partnership in health; and continuous monitoring and evaluation. For its key result areas, the Policy defines and explains strategies for attaining these goals and targets for the priority programmes; service delivery platforms or entities, and the enabling environment for service delivery. It presupposes and effective referral system that ensures continuum of care and that patients are seen at appropriate levels of care.