By Ansetus Dongo (ZNFPC Provincial Marketing and Communications Officer – Mash West province)
The Board Chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Colonel Dr Lioba Gunduza accompanied by the ZNFPC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Farai Machinga, Director Technical Services, Ms. Mercy Marimirofa and Director Administration and Finance Mr. Stanford Mundandishe conducted a familiarization tour of the Mashonaland West Provincial Office in Chinhoyi, urging staff to work together and intensify community outreach and strengthen partnerships to improve uptake of sexual and reproductive health services.
The visit, part of the Board’s nationwide program to appreciate operations at provincial level, saw the Chairperson meet with the Provincial Manager, program officers, nurses and administrative staff. The team toured administrative offices, clinic and storage facilities at the provincial office. Speaking after a closed-door briefing, the Chairperson commended staff for their dedication despite resource challenges. “Mashonaland West is a critical province for us, with both urban and farming communities that need tailored family planning and reproductive health information,” said Colonel Dr Gunduza. She reiterated that, “I am impressed by the commitment I have seen here today. Our mandate is to ensure every Zimbabwean, regardless of location, can exercise their right to make informed choices about their reproductive health.” Colonel Dr Gunduza said.
ZNFP Board Chair, Colonel Dr Lioba Gunduza (standing) accompanied by ZNFPC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Farai Machinga (left) and Director Administration and Finance Mr. Stanford Mundandishe (right)
Provincial Manager Mr. Herbert Chikosi highlighted key 2025 achievements, including emergency response by the Council lead as well as increased uptake of self-care contraceptive services such as Sayana Press and other long-acting reversible contraceptives and youth-friendly services in districts such as Hurungwe and Zvimba. Challenges raised included transport constraints for administrative and outreach teams, the need for more male involvement in family planning and commodity security in remote wards.
The Chairperson pledged the Board’s support in lobbying for resources and strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, local authorities and development partners. “Family planning is not just a health issue, it is central to development, women’s empowerment and poverty reduction,” said the ZNFPC Board Chairperson. “We must take services to the people, especially young people and men and fight myths and misinformation with facts.” Sail Colonel Gunduza. As part of the tour, the Chairperson also interacted with staff at the provincial clinic. She emphasized ZNFPC’s new strategic focus on integrated sexual and reproductive health services, including cervical cancer screening, HIV prevention and gender-based violence response. The familiarization visit ended with a call for innovation in service delivery. “Let us embrace digital health, community champions, and inter-ministerial collaboration so that no one is left behind in Mashonaland West,” the Chairperson added.