The European Union (EU) has allocated €4.2 million to support the creation of Zimbabwe’s first National Public Health Institute (NPHI). Over the course of four years, the initiative will strengthen disease surveillance, enhance digital health literacy, and support the fight against non-communicable diseases, thereby building a more resilient healthcare system.
The EU-funded project, implemented jointly with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to boost Zimbabwe’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
Guided by the Africa CDC framework and aligned with the Global Gateway Health Package, launched at the 6th European Union–African Union Summit, the NPHI will focus on science, evidence generation, and policy-based guidance, rather than the direct delivery of services.
Key priorities for the institute include:
- Developing a national strategy and roadmap for public health
- Improving digital health literacy and addressing skill gaps
- Strengthening disease surveillance and research, particularly for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes
- Increasing Zimbabwe’s participation in regional and international health networks
The creation process will be highly consultative, involving the Ministry of Health and Child Care, universities, research institutes, and other health sector partners. It will also encourage collaboration with African and European public health institutions that have successfully implemented similar models.
This support forms part of the Team Europe Initiative on National Public Health Institutes in Sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Once operational, Zimbabwe’s NPHI is expected to become a cornerstone of evidence-based decision-making, ultimately improving the health and well-being of the Zimbabwean population.
Source: EEAS
