THE cash-strapped Zimbabwean government is considering
barter trade with China and Russia in exchange for medical drugs that are in
short supply in the Southern African country.
Government officials confirmed the arrangement but could
not immediately disclose the commodities the minerals-rich country would offer
the two Asian nations.
In a joint media briefing, Ministers of Health and
Information, Obadiah Moyo and Monica Mutsvangwa, respectively, said the
procurement of drugs would alleviate the suffering of the masses, who were left
stranded as the government did not have foreign currency to buy the medicines.
“The government is exploring innovative ways of stocking
drugs in various hospitals. Barter trade with China and Russia will always come
in handy,” Moyo said.
To date, Zimbabwe has procured $2 million (R28,14 million)
worth of medicine from Denmark and secured $25 million (R351,75 million) of
medicines from Gemcorp.
It has received a donation of $2 million worth of drugs
from China Polaris.
Mutsvangwa, meanwhile disclosed government was working
towards establishing a speciality hospital wing under the Parirenyatwa Group of
Hospitals to address the prevailing situation where patients in need of
specialist services are forced to seek treatment outside the country.
Zimbabwe’s health sector is in intensive care following
years of economic decline and strikes by medical professionals.
The barter trade with China and Russia comes as Zimbabwe
strengthens relations with the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa
(BRICS) bloc after strained relations with the West.
South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is due in
Zimbabwe in March when he leads a delegation from the neighbouring country to
cement bilateral relations.
Ramaphosa’s International Relations and Cooperation
Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, said calls for the lifting of sanctions against
Zimbabwe would top the agenda.
“I thought by now sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe Government
and its people would be lifted to enable the country to start afresh after all
the challenges they have gone through,” Sisulu said.
Western nations imposed the sanctions following human
rights abuses by the administration of then-President Robert Mugabe.
Emmerson Mnangagwa has succeeded him.
“Without lifting the sanctions, the Government of Zimbabwe
will never be able to address its economic challenges. This is compromising the
political gains achieved since the coming in of the new President,” Sisulu
said.
– CAJ News
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