BULAWAYO, Jul. 26 (NewsDay Live) – The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) has called for stronger regional collaboration in healthcare, urging greater cooperation among Southern African uniformed services to tackle emerging public health challenges.
The call was made at the close of the 13th Zimbabwe Uniformed Forces Health Services Annual Scientific Conference held in Bulawayo, which ran under the theme, “Integrated Health Futures: Addressing HIV, Non-Communicable Diseases and Comorbidities in a Changing World.”
Closing the three-day conference on behalf of Commissioner-General Moses Cyril Ngawaite Chihobvu, Deputy Commissioner-General for Support Services Manetswa Manhivi said the gathering had provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, research and collaboration among Zimbabwe’s uniformed services.
“The health and well-being of our personnel directly influence operational readiness and national security. Investing in preventive healthcare and resilient health systems is a strategic investment in national development,” she said.
Manhivi said although significant progress had been made in the fight against HIV, growing cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health conditions, antimicrobial resistance and substance abuse demanded integrated and coordinated health responses.
She proposed the establishment of a Zimbabwe Uniformed Forces Drug Rehabilitation Centre and an entomology laboratory to strengthen vector surveillance and disease control. She also called for the inclusion of uniformed forces from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at future conferences to deepen regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.
During the conference, ZPCS presented four research papers covering the integration of HIV and NCD services, recidivism and substance abuse, hypertension among people living with HIV, and disability arising from mental health conditions.
“The true success of this conference will not be measured by the quality of presentations, but by the tangible improvements we implement,” Manetswa said.
- NPRC sends SOS for drug abusers
- Chamisa ‘denied’ access to Sikhala . . .As Govt allows Mwonzora to visit Chikurubi prison
- Zim prisons death traps: US
- Rights lawyers challenge rapist’s release
Keep Reading
The conference reaffirmed ZPCS’ commitment to strengthening healthcare as a key pillar of its transformation agenda aimed at delivering safe, secure and humane correctional services.
