Zimbabwe
Once southern Africa's great hope, Zimbabwe today is in political and economic crisis. SolidarMed helps safeguard access to health care for the most vulnerable.
Double burden of disease
Zimbabwe's health care system struggles under a double burden. Infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis are still a serious threat to most people in the country. At the same time, chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure are on the rise. This is an extreme challenge for the country's weak health system.
Zimbabwe in Numbers
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Maternal mortality rate
470 deaths per 100'000 births
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Infant mortality under 5 years of age
89 Todesfälle auf 1'000 Geburten
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HIV prevalence
16.7 % (every 6th person is HIV positive)
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Doctors per 10'000 persons
0.8 (Switzerland: 44)
Zimbabwe in Numbers
Zimbabwe
SolidarMed in Zimbabwe
SolidarMed improves the health of around 700'000 people in districts of Zaka, Bikita and Chiredzi in the south of the country. One focus is on the treatment of patients with HIV and tuberculosis. However, treating high blood pressure and diabetes is becoming increasingly important as well. As in the other project countries, SolidarMed concentrates in particular on the health of mothers and children.
Infectious and chronic diseases
HIV and tuberculosis are widespread in the province of Masvingo. SolidarMed supports health facilities and local authorities in identifying the two diseases at an early stage and treating the patients immediately. Thanks to SolidarMed, more and more people are gaining access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
Chronic diseases such as blood sugar or high blood pressure cause approximately one third of all deaths in Zimbabwe. The prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes have been a central aspect of SolidarMed's projects since 2018.
#eHealth - Digital health care
Health care is being digitised in Africa too. SolidarMed cooperates with local software developers and health experts. Together, our local partners develop software and apps for diagnosis, patient safety or monitoring hospital equipment. SolidarMed pursues a bottom-up approach, aligned to local needs. Monthly hackathons have resulted in useful applications that significantly improve healthcare. Some of the apps we've developed include an app that reminds patients of their next doctors appointment and one that helps medical professionals make the right diagnosis.
Contact
Laura Ruckstuhl PhD
Programme Zimbabwe
Tel. +41 41 310 66 60
l.ruckstuhl@solidarmed.ch
Our projects in Zimbabwe
SolidarMed is committed to the health of newborns, mothers and adolescents. We support the authorities with various initiatives to improve basic medical care in the province of Masvingo. Together with local partners, we are developing promising eHealth projects.
Partner
