Golden Jubilee For Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference
great deal of suffering in Zimbabwe, particularly in the
rural areas where Government hospitals and clinics
were initially very few or even non-existent.
Missionaries established medical missions both
because they regarded the ministry of healing as an
integral part of the Christian witness and also because
they viewed medical Missions as an important
evangelistic agency. Therefore their contribution to
Catholic healthcare in Zimbabwe is priceless. The
international donor community also channels assistance Mrs. Jennipher Masiiwa
to Catholic health institutions. The support is quite Public Health Officer
significant and has assisted in infrastructure
development of the institutions and meeting of running costs. Missions that have
strong ties with external donors are comparatively better equipped and have
modernized infrastructure. Support from international donors include: top up of
salaries to retain skilled staff; construction of new infrastructure and
refurbishment of buildings; purchase of ambulances, equipment, medicines and
capacity building of staff. Organisations such as Misereor, CAFOD, MIVA,
Brother's Brother Foundation and CRS have channelled support to the institutions
through the national office of the ZCBC Health Commission. Numerous other
organisations have assisted the institutions either directly or through the dioceses.
ZACH is also instrumental in the channelling of PEPFAR funds to our institutions.
Successes
Between 2012 and 2017 the Health Commission of ZCBC had 3 grants from
two different partners , where Misereor has been a major partner for 5
consecutive years contributing to 87% of the organizations income. While
Miva Netherlands contributed 13% of the organizations income during the past
year, it is clear that there are limited funding streams to support the work of the
ZCBC Health Commission, thus posing a huge challenge in achieving its
mandate and the then set outcomes in the current strategic plan. However if
fundraising is instituted, there is a possibility for ensuring secured and
sustainable funding for the ZCBC Health Commission.
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Select target paragraph3
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