By Michael Gwarisa
Zimbabwean public health expert and Executive Director of the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), Itai Rusike, has been selected as one of only ten Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Champions globally.
Rusike brings to this distinguished cohort decades of experience in public health advocacy, policy development, and the design of people-centred health systems. His work spans grassroots community engagement, national health strategy formulation, and regional collaboration, reflecting a deep commitment to strengthening health systems across Africa.
Reacting to his induction, Rusike said: “For more than twenty years, I’ve seen how people-centred, rights-based health systems are built from the ground up, through meaningful participation, fair financing, and strong political commitment. On UHC Day, we are reminded that leaving no one behind is not a slogan but a responsibility we must deliver on every day.”
Globally, Rusike has been an active participant in health and development mechanisms, including serving as Zimbabwe’s Focal Person for the Global Fund Advocates Network (GFAN) Africa, where he has facilitated engagement with donor embassies and government officials on Global Fund replenishment efforts. He also served on the Advisory Group of the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) for UHC2030 from 2017 to 2021.
Nationally, Rusike contributes to key policy and strategy processes as Chairperson of the Zimbabwe GFF CSO Coalition on SRMNCAH+N, a member of the Zimbabwe Health Financing Technical Working Group, and a member of the Zimbabwe National Health Strategy Steering Committee (2026–2030). He also supported the coordination of the Zimbabwe National High-Level Health Financing Dialogue in November 2024.
