An evaluation of the Health Development Fund programme implemented by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe.

Deteriorating health systems are a major problem in third-world African countries like Zimbabwe. Many women lose their lives and children due to high maternal mortality and malnutrition in children under five years. A political crisis in the country that lead to an economic decline has largely contributed to the poor health system. The implementation of the Health Development Fund is a multi-donor pulled fund, that attempted to address the poor health system in Zimbabwe. The aim of the study was to establish whether the Health Development Fund brought about an improvement in the provision of health care in Zimbabwe. Desk review and field data collection with tools such as KIIs and Exit Patient Interviews were used to draw conclusions. The study established that the programme had a positive impact on the health system in Zimbabwe as it led to a decline in mortality for pregnant women and children under five. The programme also responded to emergency situation like covid19. The health budget that had declined over the years has risen. The study recommends that there be sustained support to retain nursing staff through the provision of allowances. On ending of the programme the village health workers that were paid by the programme were left with no pay. Government as a partner in implementing HDF should have the village health workers on its payroll.