The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Saturday, February 29, 1992 — The Government must waive duty for items and equipment brought into the country by non-governmental organisations to assist poor communities, the field director of World Vision Zimbabwe, Mr Backson Sibanda, said yesterday.

Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the launching of the Insiza Integrated Health Programme, Mr Sibanda said the money for paying duty could be channelled to development projects.

“Paying duty greatly reduces the money that would directly go to the poor communities and alleviate their hardships. This duty has been one of our major constraints. It makes our operations difficult,” said Mr Sibanda.

The Insiza Integrated Health Programme was started last year and is being run jointly by World Vision International and the Ministry of Health.

The programme covers immunisation of children who are under five years of age, mother-child care, growth monitoring for children, family planning, water and sanitation and nutrition education. Mr Sibanda said World Vision was going to spend $5 million over the next five years to run the programme.

The programme had established 15 outreach points where most of the health activities would be carried out. All these areas did not have any clinics or hospitals nearby.

“We wish to complement the Ministry of Health’s efforts towards improving the health status of the people through an integrated approach,” said Mr Sibanda.