UNICEF and EU countries have helped to create a $430 million fund to enable pregnant Zimbabwean women and children medical care at public hospitals.

The health care system in Zimbabwe collapsed with the country’s economy and requires $436 million of support over the next five years to improve capacity, particularly in the delivery of maternal care, according to UNICEF.

The fund is supported by a variety of donor agencies and European countries including Britain, Ireland, Norway and Sweden.

"The issue of user fees is one of the biggest barriers to poor women and children's access to life saving and critical health care in Zimbabwe," said Peter Salama, the UN children's agency country representative.

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The money will go towards supplying medicine and basic equipment to clinics and hospitals.

Health Minister Henry Madzorera welcomed the funding, saying it will bring major relied and revitalise the health sector.

"We are privileged to have a good physical and human resources infrastructure in this country and we are confident that with the necessary technical and financial backing, Zimbabwe's health sector will be revitalised," he said.

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