World Bank injects $45 million into Zimbabwe health sector

Health minister David Parirenyatwa has revealed that the World Bank has invested $45 million in Zimbabwe's health sector since 2011. Parirenyatwa was speaking at a global Results-Based Financing (RBF) workshop organized by the World Bank on Monday.

Parirenyatwa said the programme had influenced better use of resources and increased accountability in the health delivery system. World Bank country manager for Zimbabwe, Camille Nuama, commended the Ministry of Health for efficient utilization of inputs.
 
Meanwhile, parliament has criticized a government plan to introduce a tax that will fund the proposed health insurance, arguing that such cover works in stable economies and that it was prone to abuse.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care chairperson Ruth Labode said they had learnt from other countries like Tanzania, Ghana and Rwanda that corruption remained a threat to such a plan.

Labode said in the event that the tax was introduced, there was need to put in place proper safeguards against corruption and abuse. The MDC-T MP said such funds would need to be audited by external institutions and not government comptroller for "transparency and accountability".