City of Harare launches the Community Health Equity Fund with ZB Financial Holdings and UNFPA, and here is why it matters

TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA 

HARARE – The Community Health Equity Fund (CHEF) was officially launched at the Hopley Youth Centre and Hopley Satellite Clinic in a move meant to improve access to healthcare for all residents in the city. The official launch of this groundbreaking initiative came after City of Harare, ZB Financial Holdings, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for its implementation in August 2025. 

Image: Kudakwashe Chibvuri/ZiFM Stereo News

Designed as a pioneering community-based financing model, CHEF seeks to eliminate financial barriers to healthcare access. This innovative framework is particularly critical for low-income urban populations in Zimbabwe, where access to healthcare remains a significant challenge. By addressing financial constraints, CHEF aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and provide financial protection while ensuring access to essential services such as maternal healthcare, youth-friendly services, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).  

Under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, residents can enroll in the scheme with a one-time registration fee of $1 and an annual subscription of $2. Members are then exempt from paying clinic fees at council clinics. The benefits package includes doctor and nurse consultations, access to medicines, and membership to clinic wellness clubs. Maternity services such as antenatal care, delivery, caesarean sections, ultrasounds, postnatal care, and access to laboratory and radiology services are also covered, with nominal co-payments for some services.  

Image: Kudakwashe Chibvuri/ZiFM Stereo News

CHEF is uniquely tailored to the needs of communities like Hopley and Mbare. Its community-driven approach empowers residents to take ownership of their healthcare, fostering a culture of proactive health management and economic empowerment.  

The program is being piloted in the southern district of Harare, encompassing nearly 10 clinics managed by the City of Harare. Following its success, plans are in place to expand CHEF to all City of Harare clinics by early 2026.  

Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume lauded CHEF as an important step in decentralised health development.

"This is a community fund that we are introducing to make sure that we make health services in our area affordable and also to make sure that we transform and make them more comprehensive and accessible to residents. This is the first one, but we are planning to expand beyond Hopley in the first quarter of 2026," Mafume remarked.

ZB Financial Holdings plays a pivotal role in the initiative, providing the financial and digital infrastructure necessary for its success.  

ZB CEO Banking, Elisha Chibvuri, highlighted the transformative potential of CHEF, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between government, international organizations, and the private sector.  

"The CHEF ensures that every family no matter their level of income can walk into a clinic and receive care without fear of the cost. ZB's role is to provide the digital infrastructure that makes CHEF possible," Chibvuri said. 

"By digitising contributions and payments, we are ensuring transparency, security, and scale. This is how the program becomes more of a local project and becomes a national model of financial inclusion, reaching communities across Zimbabwe. Our hope is that this reaches more communities across Zimbabwe. 

"Together with the partners and our communities we will make sure that we create products and services that listen to your needs and build solutions that empower health, education and financial resilience. It is how we empower communities, how we drive inclusion, and innovate sustainably." 

UNFPA Country Representative, Ms Miranda Tabifor, hailed CHEF as a powerful platform for Universal Health Coverage.

"CHEF represents financial protection, community ownership, maternal health, and youth empowerment. It strengthens partnerships for universal health coverage and ensures that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and young people’s potential is fulfilled."

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health and Child Care, the Chief Director Policy and Planning in the ministry, Dr Stephen Banda stated that his ministry has always advanced and advocated for community participation in the delivery of health services. 

"We want to move from community participation to community co-management of health facilities.I'm informed that the CHEF will be co-managed by the community. This will provide and promote transparency and will ensure that the priority health needs of the community are addressed," he said, further adding that equity in health is one of the most important priorities of the government. 

"We believe all individuals and communities must have access to quality health services irregardless of all income status of all the individuals. CHEF aims at ensuring that everyone in hopely gets the same quality of comprehensive health care."

Why this initiative matters 

The launch of CHEF is a monumental step toward addressing systemic healthcare inequalities in Harare. With its affordable cost structure and focus on inclusivity, CHEF ensures that even the most disadvantaged residents can access quality healthcare services.  

In a city where financial barriers have long denied citizens their right to health, this initiative is a powerful reminder that healthcare is a fundamental human right. By prioritizing maternal health, youth services, and SRHR, CHEF addresses critical gaps often overlooked in underserved communities.  

Moreover, the collaboration between the City of Harare, ZB Financial Holdings, and UNFPA demonstrates the transformative potential of public-private partnerships. ZB’s digital infrastructure ensures efficiency and transparency, while UNFPA's advocacy for maternal and youth health underscores the broader impact of CHEF. Together, these partners are setting a precedent for scalable, sustainable healthcare solutions.  

By empowering communities to take ownership of their health and fostering financial inclusion, CHEF is an exemplary model for nationwide implementation. As it expands citywide and potentially across Zimbabwe, CHEF has the potential to create a healthier, more equitable society where no one is left behind.  

This is why the Community Health Equity Fund matters. It’s a bold, inclusive step toward a future where healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of income or social status.