Zimbabwe’s immunisation and oxygen delivery systems have received a major boost after the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) handed over outreach vehicles and essential medical equipment to the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The consignment, officially received on Monday, includes 22 Land Cruiser vehicles, more than 300 motorised tricycles, two oxygen delivery lorries, and critical cold-chain infrastructure such as vaccine refrigerators. These resources are expected to significantly improve vaccine delivery and oxygen supply, particularly in remote, hard-to-reach communities where long distances have historically hindered access to health services.
Health authorities say the new fleet will strengthen outreach activities under Zimbabwe’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), which protects children against vaccine-preventable diseases including measles, polio and tuberculosis.
UNICEF Representative Etona Ekole said the equipment will help ensure equitable access to life-saving health interventions.
“This equipment will be used to enable vaccination of children, especially in the most remote areas. These vehicles and equipment will support the EPI programme, where every child is supposed to be protected against vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, polio and diphtheria,” she said.
She added that although Zimbabwe has made notable progress, the country still has “zero-dose” children who have never received a vaccine and remain vulnerable to preventable illnesses.
Minister of Health and Child Care Douglas Mombeshora said the support reinforces the Government’s commitment to inclusive healthcare delivery.
The second republic is doing wonders, reviving our ailing health sector. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo