China, Zimbabwe mark completion of Health Assistance Project for Cyclone-Impacted women and girls
In a significant milestone for humanitarian cooperation, the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, and government officials marked the successful conclusion of the Health Assistance Project for Women and Girls in Zimbabwe affected by Tropical Cyclone Idai.
The initiative, led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and supported by the China South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund (SSCAF), is being celebrated as a transformative effort that has improved healthcare access for thousands in cyclone-affected regions.
Addressing dignitaries at the signing ceremony for the project’s completion certificate, this week, Ambassador Zhou highlighted the initiative’s achievements.
The project directly benefited communities in Chipinge and Chimanimani, areas severely impacted by Tropical Cyclone Idai.
Through the programme:
– Over 60,000 delivery services were provided, ensuring safe childbirth for mothers in need.
– Three Maternity Waiting Homes (MWHs) were refurbished to provide safer facilities for expectant mothers.
– Nearly 300 health workers received specialized training in emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC).
“These achievements transcend mere statistics; they represent lives saved, families strengthened, and communities empowered,” said Ambassador Zhou.
He emphasized that the project has complemented Zimbabwe’s efforts in reducing maternal mortality and aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and China’s Global Development Initiative.
Ambassador Zhou traced the roots of China’s healthcare partnership with Zimbabwe back to the 1980s. Over four decades, China has sent 22 medical teams with more than 200 experts to Zimbabwe. These teams have provided free medical care to hundreds of thousands of people, built key healthcare facilities such as Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital and Mahusekwa Hospital, and contributed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic by donating 17 million vaccine doses and essential medical equipment.
China has also launched initiatives such as the Bright Journey Programme, which has helped over 1,400 cataract patients regain their eyesight, and has worked with international partners like UNFPA, UNDP, and UNICEF to promote disaster recovery, food security, and infrastructure rebuilding.
“Health is not a privilege—it is a fundamental human right, the foundation of a dignified life and the bedrock of a thriving society,” Ambassador Zhou stated as he reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s economic and social revitalization.
The project is being hailed as an exemplary model of tripartite collaboration between China, UN agencies, and Zimbabwe. UNFPA Country Representative Mrs. Miranda Tabifor and Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Sleiman Kwidini, also lauded the initiative’s success. Ambassador Zhou expressed China’s readiness to expand similar partnerships through frameworks like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and South-South cooperation.
Ambassador Zhou also called for continued efforts to build a global community where health is a universal right.
“I join you in reaffirming our collective resolve to keep building a world where health is a birthright for every human being, where no disaster can silence the cry of a healthy child, and where generations to come inherit a legacy of compassion and solidarity.”
The project’s conclusion underscores the power of international collaboration in addressing pressing healthcare needs, particularly for vulnerable populations impacted by natural disasters. It also reaffirms China and Zimbabwe’s enduring partnership in advancing sustainable development and improving lives.-herald
