His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa today officially commissioned the newly completed NatPharm Pharmaceutical Warehouse in Mutare, Manicaland Province, marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its medical supply infrastructure under the national Vision 2030 agenda.
The state-of-the-art facility, which now stands as the second largest pharmaceutical warehouse in the country, is strategically located at the gateway to the Indian Ocean, serving as a vital transit hub for pharmaceutical consignments arriving from Beira. The warehouse is designed to enhance efficiency in the nationwide distribution of medicines, ensuring timely and effective delivery to all corners of the country.
NatPharm Managing Director, Mr. Newman Madzikwa, highlighted that the facility will improve operational efficiency and strengthen last-mile delivery of medical supplies to health institutions across the nation. Minister of Health and Child Care, Hon. Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, also noted that Manicaland’s 335 health facilities stand to benefit immensely from improved local access to medical commodities, which will reduce stock-outs and enhance healthcare service delivery in the province.
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Equipped with an advanced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, the warehouse ensures optimal storage conditions to safeguard the efficacy of medicines. The expansion has seen NatPharm’s storage capacity in Mutare grow from 800 to 3,582 pallet locations, a 448 percent increase from the previous facility. Furthermore, the installation of a 370 kWp solar system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 140 tons annually, aligning with Zimbabwe’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly development.
Following the commissioning of the NatPharm facility, President Mnangagwa proceeded to the Mega Market complex where he officially commissioned the Mega Market Flour Milling Plant. The milling plant, which began operations in 2022 at reduced capacity, has since been upgraded to full capacity, now processing up to 300 tonnes of wheat per day.
Specializing in the production of various wheat-based products including white bread flour, cake flour, self-raising flour, and biscuit flour, the plant is fully automated—operating from wheat intake to packaging without human intervention. Head Miller Mr. Munyaradzi Sibanda explained that the automation was designed for safety and efficiency, ensuring smooth operations at 100 percent capacity with minimal interruptions.
The commissioning of both the NatPharm Pharmaceutical Warehouse and the Mega Market Flour Milling Plant underscores the Second Republic’s commitment to industrialization, improved public health delivery, and sustainable economic growth as Zimbabwe moves steadfastly towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
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