Local authorities urged to adopt community Health Equity Fund at ZITF engagement

Amos Mpofu mpofuamos41@gmail.com

THE City of Harare’s Department of Health Services, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, UNFPA, and ZB Financial Holdings, will on Wednesday afternoon host representatives from local authority health departments attending the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.

The engagement is to encourage the departments to adopt the Community Health Equity Fund, a health financing initiative designed to support underprivileged communities within local authorities.

The initiative requires individuals to pay a once-off registration fee of $1 and an annual contribution of $2, enabling them to access primary healthcare services at any local authority clinic /or hospital.

Officially launched in November 2025 by the Honourable Minister of Health and Child Care in Harare, the programme is being hailed as a significant breakthrough for low-income earners across the country and is widely regarded as essential for adoption by all local authorities.

The programme is expected to draw participation from all local authorities represented at the Trade Fair.
Harare City Health District Services Administrator, Mr Oliver Chari, urged local authorities to embrace the initiative, describing it as a beacon of hope for disadvantaged communities.

“This Community Health Equity Fund initiative should be a key consideration for every local authority in order to improve access to primary healthcare through the promotion of equity and community participation.

“The success of the Community Health Equity Fund will be a stepping stone towards the National Health Insurance scheme currently being developed by the Government, as part of efforts to achieve Vision 2030. We want to ensure that no place and no individual is left behind in all facets of human well-being,” he said.