Strategic Facilities in Mutare Boost Healthcare and Industry
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently commissioned two key facilities in Mutare, Zimbabwe: the new National Pharmaceutical (NatPharm) Warehouse and the Mega Market Flour Milling Plant. These projects are expected to significantly enhance access to essential medicines and increase the availability of fast-moving consumer goods, respectively.
During the commissioning ceremony for the US$23 million Mega Market Flour Milling Plant, held on the sidelines of the 22nd ZANU PF National People’s Conference, President Mnangagwa emphasized the progress made in the country’s health delivery system. He noted a 56 percent increase in pharmaceutical entities since the Second Republic began in 2017, highlighting the government’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure.
National Pharmaceutical Warehouse in Mutare
Earlier in the day, the President also commissioned and toured the newly established US$6.96 million National Pharmaceutical Warehouse, located adjacent to the Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare. This facility was built by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Fund.
The warehouse, according to President Mnangagwa, reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring reliable access to essential medicines and health commodities. These resources are vital in reducing mortality and morbidity, improving population health, and supporting the overall health delivery system.
“I want to assure the nation that the Government will continue to capacitate NatPharm to ensure the availability of medicines,” he said. “At the same time, the need to stimulate national self-reliance and productivity through local manufacturing and medical equipment remains critical.”
Since 2018, the number of pharmaceutical entities has increased by 56 percent, from nine in 2020 to the current 14. The President called for greater collaboration between the government, private sector, institutions of higher learning, and development partners to further expand these initiatives.
Improving Health Delivery System
President Mnangagwa reiterated his commitment to improving the country’s health delivery system, emphasizing that a viable health sector is not only an indicator of development but also a precondition and outcome of sustainable social and economic growth.
“My administration is currently implementing programmes and projects that will guarantee us a full range of quality and affordable health services where people need them, physically, for the most vulnerable in our communities,” he stated.
The Mutare NatPharm warehouse, which was commissioned today, follows the recent tour of the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse in Harare. The President commended the partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe, the Global Fund, and the United Nations Development Programme for the successful construction of the facility at a cost of US$6.96 million.
The warehouse includes an increased storage capacity and a 320kW solar power system, which will enable timely delivery of medicines to rural clinics, mission hospitals, and community health centers.
Additional Warehouses Across Provinces
The President was impressed with the strategic location of the Mutare NatPharm warehouse along the Beira Corridor and its proximity to the Port of Beira, which presents opportunities for increased efficiency and reduced supply bottlenecks. He tasked the Ministry of Health and Child Care to ensure the construction of similar warehouses in other provinces proceeds according to plan.
“The facility will not only benefit the people of Manicaland but the entire nation of Zimbabwe, serving as a receiving warehouse for incoming medical commodities,” he added.
The new warehouse is designed to improve the distribution of medical supplies across Manicaland, serving over 335 health facilities, including clinics and hospitals, as envisioned under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Modern Infrastructure and Advanced Systems
The NatPharm warehouse is a modern facility equipped with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to maintain optimal storage conditions, ensuring the efficacy of medicines. It stores medicine four times more than the old one and houses about 3,100 pallets of medicines, coupled with advanced inventory management systems.
The warehouse is also equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, such as flex machines and electric pallet lifters, which are essential tools for factories, warehouses, and shop floors where pallets need to be moved or racked.
Mega Market Flour Milling Plant
President Mnangagwa also commended Mutare’s fast-moving consumer goods manufacturing concern, Mega Market, for its role in the country’s industrialization drive and employment creation. He praised the company for its success milestone since entering Zimbabwe’s business arena and highlighted the government’s decision to confer National Project Status on this entity.
“Congratulations! The investment by Mega Market in the Flour Milling Plant comes at an opportune time when our country continues to realize mega wheat harvests,” he said.
Growing milling capacity is of great significance, as this investment will yield enormous economic benefits within the province and Zimbabwe at large. These include the creation of new jobs, contributions to the reduction of the import bill, and GDP growth.
Government Commitment to Industrialization
President Mnangagwa underscored the government’s commitment to the industrialization drive. Under the Second Republic, the country has seen accelerated modernization and industrialization. Since 2018, the opening up of the economy, along with the implementation of vast reforms and transformative practices, has resulted in the rejuvenation of all sectors of the economy.
“Additionally, the support of scientific research and innovation-driven industrial growth continues to be prioritized. Undoubtedly, we are now an economy brimming with rapid development. The manufacturing sector, in particular, has seen increased capacity utilization and an ever-expanding industrial base both in terms of diversity and size,” he concluded.
