Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Vice President Constantino Chiwenga as the new Minister of Health and Child Care with immediate effect.
The appointment follows the sacking of Minister Obadiah Moyo who is facing corruption charges emanating from the Covid-19 mismanagement of funds.
Permanent Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr. Misheck Sibanda said the decision was made after the President noted the urgent need to stabilise the Health system.
“In making the decision,the President noted the urgent need to stabilize, restructure and reform the National Health Delivery System to cope with challenges of the global Covid-19 pandemic and in the process, ensuring a quick turnaround in national health care” said Sibanda
The appointment came as a surprise as the Vice President once fired nurses who had gone on strike over poor remuneration in 2018.
The Government later backed down on the decision. He comes in at a time when health workers are on yet another strike over poor working conditions exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
