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Health funders face backlash over move to host summit in SA
23 Mar 2026 at 22:23hrs |
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Zimbabwe's health sector stakeholders have expressed concern over the decision by the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) to host its 2026 annual conference in Johannesburg, marking the first time the event will be held outside the country.
The conference, scheduled for September 2–5, was initially planned for Victoria Falls but was moved due to renovations at the original venue. Traditionally, the event is one of the most important gatherings in Zimbabwe's health sector, attracting policymakers, medical aid societies, and senior government officials, including the Douglas Mombeshora.
Critics argue that relocating the conference abroad has both economic and symbolic implications. Health sector leaders say the event typically generates revenue for local businesses such as hotels, transport providers, and small suppliers, while keeping such activities within the country helps retain value within the domestic economy.
Medical expert Johannes Marisa warned that moving the conference outside Zimbabwe could reduce the economic benefits associated with hosting large-scale events and may also affect public perception, particularly at a time when access to affordable healthcare remains a pressing issue.
Public policy specialist Marlon Nyakabau also raised concerns, noting that consistently hosting major conferences abroad may hinder the development of local conference infrastructure and result in foreign currency outflows from Zimbabwe's economy.
In response, AHFoZ chief executive Shylet Sanyanga defended the decision, stating that the relocation was necessitated by the unavailability of suitable local venues due to renovations. She emphasised that the decision reflected input from stakeholders and that the majority of participants at the conference come from a broader regional and international pool, not solely from Zimbabwe.
While AHFoZ maintains that the move was unavoidable, some experts have indicated plans to engage the organisation in efforts to reconsider future events being hosted locally, in a bid to support domestic economic activity and strengthen Zimbabwe's conference and hospitality sectors.
The conference, scheduled for September 2–5, was initially planned for Victoria Falls but was moved due to renovations at the original venue. Traditionally, the event is one of the most important gatherings in Zimbabwe's health sector, attracting policymakers, medical aid societies, and senior government officials, including the Douglas Mombeshora.
Critics argue that relocating the conference abroad has both economic and symbolic implications. Health sector leaders say the event typically generates revenue for local businesses such as hotels, transport providers, and small suppliers, while keeping such activities within the country helps retain value within the domestic economy.
Public policy specialist Marlon Nyakabau also raised concerns, noting that consistently hosting major conferences abroad may hinder the development of local conference infrastructure and result in foreign currency outflows from Zimbabwe's economy.
In response, AHFoZ chief executive Shylet Sanyanga defended the decision, stating that the relocation was necessitated by the unavailability of suitable local venues due to renovations. She emphasised that the decision reflected input from stakeholders and that the majority of participants at the conference come from a broader regional and international pool, not solely from Zimbabwe.
While AHFoZ maintains that the move was unavoidable, some experts have indicated plans to engage the organisation in efforts to reconsider future events being hosted locally, in a bid to support domestic economic activity and strengthen Zimbabwe's conference and hospitality sectors.
Source - The Standard
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