NAYO’s CivActs program embarked on an advocacy journey in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, between October and December 2023. The community’s outcry over exorbitant clinic fees became a pressing concern, prompting NAYO to act and address this vital issue. The local municipal clinic was charging US$14 for consultation.

NAYO recognized the importance of engaging key stakeholders, and reached out to all the nurses in charge from Chitungwiza’s four main polyclinics and the matron of the city health department. Together with the Chitungwiza Residents Association, NAYO organized feedback meetings where the community’s concerns were shared, and collaborative solutions were sought.

Healthcare professionals were responsive to the community’s concerns. In particular, the matron of the health department committed to reviewing clinic charges during the budget consultations for the year 2024, with the aim of enhancing the community’s access to health services.

NAYO diligently followed up with the city health department following the meetings. As a result, the town council agreed to reduce consultation fees for several essential healthcare services, marking a significant success for the advocacy campaign.

The reduction is reflected in the 2024 Municipal budget, decreasing to USD5 fromUSD14, proving the City’s commitment to providing accessible care to the community. The budget also showed reductions in the cost contraceptive pills at council clinics, reduced from USD2 to USD1, and maternity fees, reduced from USD28 to USD 25, and dental services, reduced from USD20 to USD10 easing the financial burden of quality health services.

Affordable healthcare is vital for any community. This success story exemplifies the power of community advocacy to generate long term-solutions. Through prioritizing community engagement, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and advocating for policy changes, NAYO has empowered the community to access healthcare services at reduced costs. CivActs takes immense pride in this achievement and remains committed to rebuilding accountability chains across Zimbabwe.

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New Narrative for Accountability in Zimbabwe seeks to address entrenched negative political, social, and economic dynamics around
accountability by incentivizing communities to try new, innovative approaches to change governance outcomes from the bottom up. It
supports citizens to build communities around new approaches and an evidence base underpinned by an “ecosystem” for change.