Zimbabwe: Non-communicable diseases - April 2024. © WHO / Tafadzwa Ufumeli
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is facing a convergence of public health threats, climate shocks and economic fragility that has severely constrained its emergency preparedness and response (EPR) capabilities. With limited human, institutional and financial resources to meet climate change requirements, the country struggles to adapt to growing climate-related health risks. The challenges are compounded by economic fragility, with Zimbabwe currently classified as being in debt distress and designated as a fragile and conflict-affected state.
ALLOCATION
US$ 2.5 M
PARTNERS
Africa CDC, UNICEF, FAO, IOM
NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE
Co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary MoHCC and WHO Representative in Zimbabwe. First convened on 4 June 2025.
Climate-related health challenges
Climate extremes are amplifying health risks across Zimbabwe, from heatwaves and erratic rainfall, to drought-induced food insecurity and post-flood disease outbreaks. Its dependence on rain-fed agriculture, combined with these shifting weather patterns, places enormous pressure on already fragile systems. Cyclone Idai in 2019 displaced millions and overwhelmed health services, exposing critical gaps.
Rural communities face growing undernutrition, linked to both drought and poverty. The climate crisis has also intensified outbreaks of cholera, malaria and diarrhoeal diseases, particularly in areas with poor water and sanitation, compounding existing burdens like HIV. Meanwhile, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss are heightening the risk of zoonotic spillovers, with Zimbabwe among the top 50 countries most vulnerable to infectious diseases.
Early warning and disease surveillance systems
Zimbabwe will enhance early warning, detection and real-time response to health threats by:
- Reviewing and modernizing its Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) systems, including event-based (EBS), community-based (CBS) and electronic (eIDSR) components.
- Designing and piloting an interoperable national surveillance system.
- Training health workers on system use, and rolling out tools for frontline implementation.
- Supporting the implementation of the One Health National Bridging Workshop (NBW) Roadmap, and integrating food and nutrition data.
- Developing user-focused dashboards and digital platforms that connect climate, nutrition and health indicators.
- Updating its National Action Plan for Health Security.
Laboratory systems
To strengthen diagnostics and One Health surveillance, Zimbabwe will:
- Procure and operationalize a PCR machine for a selected wildlife laboratory, including reagents, consumables and service contracts.
- Train health and veterinary personnel in diagnostics, biosafety, biosecurity and infectious substance shipping.
- Review and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidelines and protocols across human, animal and environmental health sectors.
- Build a coordinated, cross-sectoral laboratory network with capacity to monitor zoonotic and foodborne diseases.
Strengthening human resources and public health workforce
To reinforce frontline capacity and coordination, Zimbabwe will:
- Train multisectoral emergency teams using the AVoHC SURGE initiative, with localized manuals and simulation exercises.
- Expand the Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) to include One Health and frontline workers.
- Develop a national SURGE deployment plan, including training and mobilization of teams at all levels.
- Conduct joint risk assessments and simulation exercises at points of entry, and strengthen preparedness plans for ground crossings.
Other goals
Zimbabwe will also:
- Establish and link public health emergency operations centres (PHEOCs) across the region, with digital platforms, joint training and simulation exercises.
- Develop a Health Emergency Leaders Network aligned to the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC).
- Create standard SOPs for regular EPR technical working group meetings across the One Health interface.
- Organize peer learning visits and regional collaboration to strengthen institutional knowledge and climate-resilient EPR systems.