COMMINITY WORKING GROUP ON HEALTH (CWGH) 13th National Conference 5-6 July 2006; Cresta Oasis Hotel, Harare “We, the delegates attending the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) 13th National Conference held at the Cresta Oasis Hotel in Harare from 5 –6 July 2006: Having • Discussed and understood issues pertaining to Community Participation in Health; • Discussed the Public Sector Health Workers Conditions and Quality of Health Care; • Discussed how to improve communication between health workers and clients in implementing the Patient Rights Charter; • Taken audit of our operations as a working group on health in Zimbabwe • Discussed CWGH District reports priority areas for the CWGH and the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) Noting • The challenges lying ahead in order to remain visible and relevant • The success and failures recorded by CWGH so far • The appalling working conditions of Public Health workers • The continued deteriorating of quality care in health institutions • The poor communication between health workers and clients and implementing patient rights. Lamenting • The serious exodus of health personnel • The poor salaries and allowances for health workers • The poor physical working environment under which health workers work • The inadequate equipment and drug supplies in hospitals and clinics • The poor housing or no provision of housing for health workers • The poor transport and means of communication for health workers • The lack of recreational facilities for Health Workers • The harsh economic climate in Zimbabwe • The near collapse of the health delivery systems • The high cost of health delivery in Zimbabwe. • The lack of disability user-friendly facilities in health institutions RESOLVED AND RECOMMEND THAT: • CWGH continues to take a leading role in encouraging Community Participation in Health • CWGH lobby the Health Services Board and the Government for better working conditions for Health Workers • CWGH must lobby relevant government departments and Parliament on priority issues identified by communities • CWGH readies its members for a rights-based health delivery system • CWGH lobby for improved social conditions that affects people’s health • CWGH works towards improvement of communication between Health Workers and Clients • CWGH takes a leading role in Educating, Dissemination of Information on the Patient Charter and the Millennium Development Goals. • CWGH seeks representation in the Health Service Board • CWGH increases collaboration with Health Worker organisations • CWGH remain non-partisan in order to influence national policy decisions • CWGH strengthens dialogue with other stake holders in order to utilize their institutions in information dissemination • CWGH must lobby the Commission on Social Determinants for interventions that are country specific.