The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), in partnership with key stakeholders, has convened a multi-sector workshop aimed at operationalising the Public Health Institute of Zimbabwe (PHIZ).
The workshop, currently underway in Kadoma, brings together representatives from Government ministries, health institutions, academia, development partners and other sectors to lay the groundwork for the full establishment of PHIZ.
In a statement today, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the new institute would play a central role in enhancing Zimbabwe’s preparedness and response to public health threats through evidence-based systems and improved collaboration.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care, and partners are hosting a multi-sector workshop to operationalise the Public Health Institute of Zimbabwe,” the ministry said.
It said once fully operational, PHIZ would serve as the country’s intelligence hub for public health by coordinating health data, strengthening disease surveillance systems and promoting academic research to guide policy and interventions.
“Once operational, the PHIZ will focus on various objectives, which will include ensuring that the same becomes the intelligence hub of public health through data coordination, surveillance, and academic research,” said the ministry.
The ministry said PHIZ would also promote a One Health approach by bringing together institutions involved in human health, animal health and environmental management, recognising the close relationship between people, animals and ecosystems in the emergence and control of diseases.
“PHIZ will also be responsible for bringing together stakeholders in human health, animal health, environment, justice, academia and others,” the ministry said.
The Ministry said collaboration with the justice sector would also be important in areas such as health regulations, enforcement of public health laws and coordinated responses during emergencies.
“The operationalisation workshop is expected to develop frameworks for governance, technical functions, partnerships and resource mobilisation for the institute.
Participants are also discussing how PHIZ can align with national health priorities and regional public health systems,”it added
The ministry said the institute would help improve early warning systems, strengthen outbreak detection and support timely responses to health emergencies through coordinated use of data and scientific evidence.
Zimbabwe has in recent years intensified efforts to modernise its healthcare system, improve epidemic preparedness and build resilient institutions capable of responding to both infectious and non-communicable disease challenges.
