President Mnangagwa appoints Health Service Commission

INNOCENT VEREMU

HARARE—President Mnangagwa has appointed a new Health Service Commission (HSC) to assume full control of the staff in the State health services. 

The commission is formed of seven members, with Dr Vincent Hungwe, the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, serving as the chairperson of the HSC. Dr Abigail Rugare Kangwende, a highly experienced medical practitioner, has been appointed as the deputy chairperson.

These appointments were made in accordance with the Health Service Amendment Act, which establishes the HSC as a replacement for the Health Services Board. As per the Act, all commissions that deal with State staff have the chairperson of the Civil Service Commission as their common chairperson.

In a statement, Acting Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Mr Willard Manungo announced the appointment of the seven commissioners. Alongside Dr Vincent Hungwe and Dr Abigail Kangwende, the other members of the HSC are Major-General (Rtd) Gerald Gwinji, Dr Edward Makondo, Mr Engelbert Mbengwa, Mrs Josephine Mwakutuya, and Mrs Mercy Sibongile Gwaunza.

These commissioners bring a wealth of experience to the HSC, with extensive backgrounds in the health sector at senior levels. Dr Vincent Hungwe, in particular, has significant experience in chairing service commissions.

Dr Abigail Kangwende has over 40 years of experience as a medical doctor and has held various roles in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, including as a government medical officer and director monitoring and evaluation. During her tenure, she also acted as chief director for policy, planning, monitoring and evaluation, as well as Secretary for Health and Child Care. Notably, she played a key role in coordinating the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals within the Ministry.

Dr Gerald Gwinji is a qualified medical doctor and senior administrator with more than 35 years of experience in public health. He has served in various capacities, including as director general of health services in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and as Secretary for Health and Child Care. He also has extensive knowledge and experience in health workforce policy and strategy development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Dr Edward Makondo, a registered general and mental health nurse, has extensive experience in nursing, clinical practice, teaching, and administration. He rose through the ranks to become the deputy director of nurse training and administration in the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Mr Engelbert Mbengwa, a seasoned human resources practitioner with over 30 years of experience, worked for the Health Services Board (now HSC) as a general manager responsible for monitoring and evaluation. He focused on human resources and general health service delivery.

Mrs Josephine Mwakutuya brings over 30 years of experience in health workforce regulation from various portfolios. She served as the Registrar at the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe.

Mrs Mercy Sibongile Gwaunza, a seasoned Legal Practitioner, has more than 20 years of experience in labor law, civil litigation, commercial law, arbitration, and conveyancing. She has expertise in drafting and interpreting agreements and statutes.

The establishment of the HSC marks a significant change in the management of the State health services. With the appointment of these experienced commissioners, the HSC is well-positioned to administer the conditions of service for members in the State health services and ensure effective healthcare delivery in Zimbabwe.