New department to spearhead health infrastructure

VICE President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Health and Child Care Minister, has created the Department of Infrastructure Development in his ministry to spearhead infrastructure projects at health institutions.

Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro revealed this on Sunday at Mpilo Central Hospital where he was touring doctors and nurses’ flats that are under renovation.

He said the Department of Infrastructure Development in the Ministry will focus on infrastructural development.

Dr Mangwiro said Government is also committed to completing some of the abandoned infrastructure projects at different hospitals.

“The Vice President came up with the department of Infrastructure Development with a chief director who will be coordinating such projects and reporting to him and the permanent secretary. We have said as a Government that by 2030 things must be different and we are happy we have started witnessing that change,” said Dr Mangwiro.

He said improving the conditions of service of civil servants remains on top of the Government’s agenda as the country is losing a lot of skilled workers to other nations.

The health sector lost a number of nurses and doctors who left for the country for greener pastures during the past few years. “There has been a lot of it (brain drain), health workers leaving much faster. That is what we are out to improve so the we retain our skilled manpower. We do not just want to keep those who are here but we also want those who are abroad to come back and participate in the development of their country” said Dr Mangwiro.