Pangaea to Help Strengthen Health Systems in Zimbabwe for HIV and Maternal and Child Health

Pangaea Global AIDS Foundation is currently laying the organizational groundwork for an ongoing program in Zimbabwe aimed at reducing HIV and maternal, child and infant morbidity and mortality by working with public and private partners to strengthen and integrate health systems at the district level.  

Pangaea’s partners on the project will include Africa University, University of Zimbabwe, and the Chitungwiza Hospital Opportunistic Infection Clinic. The project leadership team will include Pangaea CMO Dr. Dennis Israelski, VP for Programs Dr. Megan Dunbar, Dr. Nancy Padian of Pangaea/UC Berkeley, Dr. Gerard Kadzirange of University of Zimbabwe, Dr. Abigail Kagwende and Dr. Jonathan Pfumojena of Africa University, Dr. David Katzenstein of Pangaea/Stanford, and Dr. Chris Seebregst, PhD of Pangaea/Jembi International.

After organizational activities are complete, Pangaea’s short term programmatic efforts will include a review of the codified and promulgated strategies of the Ministry of Health and other relevant government agencies to summarize the data and strategies that are in print, as well as identifying gaps in needed data and barriers to implementing, replicating and scaling up national strategies, with a strong focus on improving the health of women, infants and children.  Pangaea will also be establishing one-year pilot clinical programs through the Chitungwiza Hospital and Opportunistic Infection Clinic and other selected sites in Mutare.

“We are very excited about the long-term potential for helping to strengthen HIV and other health services for women and children in Zimbabwe,” says Dr. Dunbar.  ”Every member of our team has deep experience working in country and we’re hoping to make a contribution to health system strengthening efforts in Zimbabwe for many years to come.”