Story by Mhlomuli Ncube

SWEDEN has pledged to continue working with the Zimbabwean government to fund health programmes in line with the National Development Strategy One and the National Health Strategy.

Coordination between the Swedish government, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, as well as Population Services Zimbabwe, has resulted in the provision of crucial reproductive and sexual rights services in Matabeleland North province.

The Siabuzuba community of Binga this Monday turned up for an outreach programme where Swedish Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Berthollet Kaboru confirmed that her country will continue supporting health programmes in Zimbabwe in line with government policy.

“Sweden has no other agenda except working with the government of Zimbabwe to support programmes like these as directed by the NDS-1 and NHS (2021-2025,” he noted.

Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) has been rolling out several programmes whose focus is on the health and sexual rights of women and girls.

“We have managed to reach over 230 thousand women, men adolescents and young people in Zimbabwe with comprehensive SRHR services between 2018 and 2022 alone,” stated PSZ Country Director, Ms Pester Siraha.

The beneficiaries have also been receptive to information and crucial tools availed by PSZ and the Swedish government.

“I have been taught about how to look after myself in my menstrual cycle,” said a beneficiary.

“I was given pads and taught how to use them over time and keep them clean,” another beneficiary added.

The government of Zimbabwe works with different partners to deliver sexual and reproductive health across the country.

Zimbabwe has also launched the Health Resilience Fund as part of efforts to ensure universal health coverage.