Mnangagwa commissions NatPharm warehouse

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday officially commissioned two strategic facilities in Mutare - the National Pharmaceutical (NatPharm) Warehouse and the Mega Market Flour Milling Plant - aimed at improving access to essential medicines and boosting the availability of fast-moving consumer goods.

Delivering his keynote address during the commissioning of the US$23 million Mega Market Flour Milling Plant on the sidelines of the 22nd ZANu-PF National People's Conference, President Mnangagwa highlighted the significant growth in Zimbabwe's pharmaceutical sector. He noted a 56 percent increase in pharmaceutical entities since the inception of the Second Republic in 2017.

Earlier in the day, the President toured the newly established US$6.96 million NatPharm Warehouse, located next to the Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital. Built in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Fund, the facility underscores the Government's commitment to ensuring reliable access to medicines and health commodities nationwide.

"The Mutare NatPharm warehouse attests to the progress made in facilitating reliable access to essential medicines, reducing mortality and morbidity, and supporting our health delivery system," President Mnangagwa said.

The warehouse, equipped with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, advanced inventory management tools, flex machines, and electric pallet lifters, has a storage capacity four times larger than the previous facility, accommodating approximately 3,100 pallets of medicines. It is designed to serve over 335 health facilities, including clinics and hospitals, and will act as a receiving hub for medical commodities along the Beira Corridor, improving efficiency in distribution across Manicaland and beyond.

President Mnangagwa also praised the Mega Market Flour Milling Plant for contributing to industrialisation, job creation, and economic growth. He noted that the plant's increased milling capacity coincides with record wheat harvests, promising benefits such as reduced import bills and contributions to GDP growth.

"I congratulate Mega Market for this milestone. Your investment in the Flour Milling Plant will yield enormous economic benefits for the province and the nation," the President said, adding that the Government will continue to support local industrial ventures.

He further reaffirmed the Second Republic's focus on modernisation and industrialisation, citing reforms and initiatives that have revitalised multiple sectors of the economy.

"The support of scientific research and innovation-driven industrial growth remains a priority. Our economy is now brimming with rapid development, with the manufacturing sector expanding both in capacity and diversity," he said.

The commissioning of these facilities signals Zimbabwe's ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, promote local manufacturing, and bolster economic self-reliance.