Zimbabwe Approves Ebola Contingency Fund as Regional Outbreak Spreads

By Colleta Bell

Cabinet has approved the establishment of a provisional Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness Contingency Fund as Zimbabwe strengthens measures against the growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The decision followed a report presented by Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora during Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

According to government, Zimbabwe remains at risk due to increased regional population movement, especially through cross-border travel.

Speaking during the post-Cabinet media briefing, Dr. Mombeshora said the country already has an Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system in place, supported by trained personnel and weekly monitoring systems.

Government says the new contingency fund will support surveillance activities, laboratory strengthening, infection prevention and control supplies, and rapid response deployment.

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