Zimbabwe’s life expectancy rises to 65
ZIMBABWE’S life expectancy has increased by four years to 65, with women expected to live longer than men — a development the Ministry of Health and Child Care has described as a positive indicator of the gains being made under the Second Republic, despite ongoing challenges in the health sector.
This was revealed during the recent Public Service Commission Retirement Conference held in Bulawayo, which attracted close to 2 500 delegates. The conference addressed a range of issues concerning the welfare of civil servants and featured testimonies and presentations aimed at preparing the working population for life after retirement.
Speaking during a session on health and wellness in retirement, Acting Director of Policy Planning and Health Economics in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Mr Tinotenda Kadzere, said the Second Republic had made significant strides in healthcare delivery. He noted that the rise in life expectancy was a key indicator of progress in the sector.
“Despite the challenges we face, our life expectancy in 2021 was around 61 at the onset of NDS1. A recent study shows that it has now improved to an average of 65. A four-year increase over such a short period is no small feat. It shows we are becoming healthier as a nation,” said Mr Kadzere.
Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, the Government — working in partnership with development agencies — has accelerated the construction of new health facilities, refurbishment of referral hospitals, and equipping of medical centres across the country.
In the Matabeleland region, Mpilo Central Hospital continues to receive substantial Government support and is now home to an air ambulance rescue helicopter. The installation of a state-of-the-art automated incinerator for medical waste disposal is another milestone. The Government has also constructed new doctors’ quarters and refurbished existing accommodation for both doctors and student nurses at Mpilo.
At the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), a new Reference Laboratory — the first of its kind in Zimbabwe — is being installed. It will house nine departments, including Haematology, Biochemistry, Histopathology, Immunology/Serology, Blood Bank, Microbiology, and Viral Load/Tuberculosis testing.
In Cowdray Park, Bulawayo’s most populous suburb, a large Government-funded health centre was officially opened by President Mnangagwa on August 2, 2023. The facility has significantly improved access to healthcare for local residents.
Across Matabeleland, several clinics are being constructed by communities with support from Government devolution funds, many of which are now operational.
In the fight against HIV, Zimbabwe has achieved the 95-95-95 target, with high antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage and viral load suppression across provinces. As of 2024, the country entered the epidemic control phase, with the number of new HIV infections (14 987) now lower than Aids-related deaths (16 723). Both figures are on a downward trend.
To address medicine shortages, the Government has ensured that 80 percent of essential medicines are now available in hospitals nationwide, according to Mr Kadzere.
Among other achievements, adult ART coverage reached 96,8 percent in 2024, while coverage for children continues to improve.
Mr Kadzere noted that women’s life expectancy is higher than men’s, with females expected to live up to 67 years.
“This shows that Zimbabwe is on track to achieving Vision 2030. Women are just three years away from the target life expectancy of 70 years for an upper-middle-income country, while men still have some ground to cover,” he said.
He added that Zimbabwe’s health service coverage under the universal health coverage framework has improved and now exceeds the regional average.
“In Africa, the average life expectancy is around 63 years. Countries like Algeria and Cape Verde are at 75, while others like Chad are at 58. We believe Zimbabwe is heading in the right direction,” said Mr Kadzere.
He also highlighted the top 10 causes of mortality in Zimbabwe, which include HIV and Aids, influenza and pneumonia, road traffic accidents, coronary heart disease, diarrhoeal diseases in children under five, low birth weight, stroke, severe underweight in under-fives, birth trauma and diabetes mellitus.
“To further increase life expectancy, we must invest more in the health sector to prevent and treat disease effectively,” he said.
Mr Kadzere noted that health sector funding remains below the 15 percent target set by the Abuja Declaration and falls short of the Ministry’s 2025 budget bid.
He also reported a significant decline in maternal mortality rates — from 615 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2015 to 212 in 2024 — approaching the Sustainable Development Goal target of 70 per 100 000. Chronicle
