The Ministry of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare together with the World Bank (WB) and UNICEF Zimbabwe launched the Integrated Social Protection Management Information System(ISPMIS).
By Nthokozo Gudu
The Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare Hon Prof Paul Mavima officiated the launch that was held in Harare where he emphasized the need to enhance innovation with regard to Social Protection Management of Information Systems.
The government is investing a lot in Information Communication Technologies as part of the border programme of modernizing work processes in the government. The thrust is to utelise information and communication technologies and digital technologies in the provision of Government services with a view to enhancing service delivery for the benefit of the ordinary Zimbabwean so that we work towards achieving Vision 2030,’’ he said.
The Minister added that the ISPMIS will enable transparency in all the social protection programmes.
“This system, will go forward, enable a harmonized implementation and monitoring of social protection programmes, while ensuring transparency and good governance of social protection programming, Interlinkages are to be created for example with the Civil Registry Department so as to ease registration of beneficiaries and avoid duplication.
“The system was piloted in nine Cyclone Idai affected districts namely Chikomba, Chipinge, Buhera,Chimanimani, Masvingo, Zaka, Gutu and Chiredzi using the Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy Programme. The exercise was a tremendous success as District Officers witnessed how the system accommodates components of shock responsiveness in Social Protection,’’ He added.
The Minister highlighted the mandate of his ministry in providing relief to the people of Zimbabwe, “The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is mandated to provide relief to socio-economic, climate and natural disasters induced hardships on the people of Zimbabwe, The Zimbabwe National Social Protection Policy Framework (NSPPF) of 2016, recommended for the creation of an Integrated Social Protection Management Information System for better management of social protection programs in Zimbabwe,’’ he said.
The UNICEF Representative Zimbabwe,Dr Tajudeen Oyewale said UNICEF was pleased to partner with Government to expand the reach of existing social protection programs,
“The ISPMIS, as envisioned, will play a pivotal role in achieving this objective by effectively identifying beneficiaries ,capturing their information ,reporting on the assistance provided,and ensuring predictable and regular assistance.Furthermore ,it will enhance the resilence of the system to shocks and enable timely responses,’’he said.
