By Retlaw Matatu Matorwa
Health equity remains one of the most pressing challenges faced by marginalized communities in Zimbabwe. Improving health equity is not only a moral obligation but also a critical component of promoting social justice, fostering economic development, and creating a more equitable society.
Marginalized communities in Zimbabwe are those who face systematic disadvantages, such as poverty, low education, rural residence, sex, and ethnicity. These communities experience higher rates of disease and mortality compared to the rest of the population, and they are more likely to experience barriers to accessing healthcare services, such as discrimination, stigma, and lack of resources.
To improve health equity for marginalized communities, the government of Zimbabwe must prioritize policies and programs that address social determinants of health, such as poverty, education, housing, and employment. This requires a multi-sectoral approach that involves collaboration between various government departments, civil society, and community-based organizations.
One of the key strategies to promote health equity is to expand access to healthcare services, particularly to marginalized communities. This can be achieved by increasing the number of healthcare providers in these areas, developing community-based health programs, and advocating for health policies that promote social inclusion.
Another critical factor in promoting health equity is addressing the underlying causes of disease and illness. This involves addressing social determinants such as food security, income, education, and housing. By focusing on these determinants, we can reduce disparities in health outcomes across different groups and promote health equity.
Furthermore, improving health equity requires a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. This includes creating awareness and education campaigns on healthy lifestyles, including healthy diets, physical activity, and avoiding health risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol. Such campaigns can also address specific health issues that affect marginalized communities such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria.
Strengthening primary healthcare systems is another critical strategy to promote health equity for marginalized communities. Primary healthcare is the essential first level of healthcare, and it is the most accessible point of care for most people in Zimbabwe. By improving primary healthcare systems, we can ensure that marginalized communities receive adequate care, and that their health needs are better addressed.
Finally, promoting health equity requires strong leadership and political will. This means that the government of Zimbabwe must prioritize health equity as a core value, and ensure that policies and practices are enacted in a way that reduces health disparities and promotes social inclusion.
In reality, health equity remains one of the most pressing challenges faced by marginalized communities in Zimbabwe. A multi-sectoral approach, which includes expanding access to healthcare services, addressing social determinants of health, promoting health promotion and disease prevention, improving primary healthcare, and strong political will, is required to promote health equity in Zimbabwe. By prioritizing health equity, we can create a more equitable and just society, and improve the quality of life for all Zimbabweans.
About Author: Retlaw Matatu Matorwa is a Social justice practitioner and development communications expert. He is the Project Coordinator for Harare Institute of Public Health, a public- a training and public health policy think- tank based in Zimbabwe.
