ED demotes Health ministry perm sec  

Blessings Mashaya
SENIOR STAFF WRITER

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has demoted Health ministry permanent secretary Agnes Mahomva to the position of chief coordinator of the National Response to Covid-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet.

In a statement last night, chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda said the post was created for the government to have a coordinated approach in the fight against coronavirus.

“His Excellency the President has, in terms of Section203 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act 2013, approved the appointment of Agnes Mahomva to the newly created post of chief coordinator, National Response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the office of the President and Cabinet.

“The post has been created after due consideration of the work of the Ad-hoc inter-ministerial Task force on Covid-19 which has indicated the need for an evidence based, and coordinated division of labour between and among government agencies and other significant entities, as the country acts to prevent, manage and contain cases of infection and illness relating to the virus,” Sibanda said in the statement.

He said Mahomva excelled in her role as permanent secretary.

“Prior to her appointment, Mahomva held the post of permanent secretary in the ministry of Health and Child Care, and brings to the new post her extensive knowledge and experience both from her work in government and from her previous assignment in country, regional and global health organisations.

“As the government’s principal technical spokesperson on efforts to combat the Covid-19 threat, Mahomva has been on the frontline in defining government strategy and in providing guidance to the public on behavioural adjustments needed to protect the populace against the spread of the pandemic, as well as on necessary health protocols that must be followed when dealing with cases, both suspected and established, of infection.”

He said Mahomva would lead researches and also resource mobilisation as the country grappled to deal with the deadly coronavirus.

He added that the appointment of a new permanent secretary of Health and Child Care would be made in due course.