Harare, 18 August 2015:  The Zimbabwe Public Health Association (ZiPHA) was launched on the 14th of August in Harare at a function attended by many public health practitioners from all over Zimbabwe. The association, whose vision is the attainment of the highest possible standards of health for all Zimbabweans, is committed to improving the health and living status of the people of Zimbabwe through the dedicated and active involvement of its members in all aspects of public health in Zimbabwe and through collaboration with stakeholders.

The overall objective of ZiPHA is the advancement of public health measures for the promotion of health, prevention of diseases, timely treatment of the sick, and rehabilitation of the disabled. This will be achieved by:

• Bringing together persons who are trained in, working in, or interested in public health or its related disciplines
• Actively participating in, and influencing, health policy, planning, training, management, and practice of public health
• Promoting the rights and interests of members
• Establishing forums for promoting communication among members and the public on health and health related matters
• Advancing research in public health and publishing scientific journals, newsletters etc. for disseminating the results for the advancement of knowledge and excellence in public health practice
• Playing active advocacy roles on important health issues, such as preventing and control of epidemics and disaster situations.

Speaking at the launch of ZiPHA, WR Zimbabwe, Dr David Okello said  the launch of ZiPHA was a welcome development on the public health front. “WHO calls on governments, partners and communities to support national public health associations in their role to strengthen health systems and promote community-based health development which is a useful approach towards more effective implementation of primary health care,” he said. Dr Okello also outlined some major health development issues  that require the immediate attention of ZiPHA, namely:

• The National Health Strategy 2016 – 2020 which is being developed where ZiPHA will be expected to play an active role in the formative stages of its development;
• The unfinished agenda of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs )– including maternal and child health issues, AIDS, TB and Malaria; as well as vaccine preventable illnesses which are still prevalent and must be given full attention; and also making sure that health is a human right for all - as reflected in the Health-related MDGs
• The growing burden of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) whose insidious rise will form the basis of the biggest health challenges in the next few years. Support must be given to stronger community action to influence exercise and lifestyle; and to control tobacco use, alcohol, obesity, poor dental health, chemical exposures and the occupational environment. ZiPHA could be the voice that advocates for the re-doubling of efforts to confront the rising scourge of NCDs, including road traffic injuries, mental health and cancers.
• Universal Health Coverage: The UN General Assembly is currently considering proposals for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to succeed the Millennium Development Goals. SDGs focusing on health include universal health coverage (UHC) among its targets which is fundamentally important, and ZiPHA is well placed to trigger a debate on how best Zimbabwe could begin to implement initiatives aimed at providing access to promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health interventions for all at an affordable cost.

Dr Okello urged ZiPHA to become an affiliate of the African Federation of Public Health Associations (AFPHA), and to be the voice of other health professional associations, and the channel for articulating their concerns. He also pledged WHO's commitment to work with ZiPHA and other development partners towards improving the health and quality of life of the people of Zimbabwe.

In his statement to launch ZiPHA, the Honorable Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa said, “This platform being launched today has the potential to be the biggest force for carrying the public health agenda in Zimbabwe forward.” He said he was impressed by the varying spheres of public health represented by the people who turned up for the launch, and urged them to assist Zimbabwe to get over the health challenges facing it. He said solutions will come if ZiPHA became an association of  “applied” public health practitioners who offer practical solutions to address the health challenges facing Zimbabwe. Dr Parirenyatwa also congratulated the interim committee that is leading ZiPHA and said  ZiPHA should serve as a role model for health professional associations in Zimbabwe and the African Region with regard to increasing their influence in health policy and interventions.