Gerald Gwinji Biography | Career in the Army, Career in Government
This is the biography of Dr Gerald Gwinji a retired Major General and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Child Care. He also serves as the Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the African Centre for Health Excellence.
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Career in the Army
Dr Gerald Gwinji joined the Zimbabwe National Army in 1987 as a Medical Officer. Over the years, he progressed through the ranks and held various positions, including Senior Medical Officer, Director of Medical Services and Chief Adviser to the Commander Defence Forces, and Director General of Health Services in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. In January 2018, upon retirement from active service, he was promoted by Emmerson Mnangagwa to the rank of Major General, along with five other Brigadier Generals. The promotions were effective from December 20, 2017.
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Career in Government
Dr. Gerald Gwinji obtained his degree in medicine and surgery (MBChB) in 1985 from the University of Zimbabwe’s Godfrey Huggins School of Medicine as a military medical cadet. He further pursued his education and earned a Master of Science Degree in Medical Microbiology and a Masters in Public Health.
Dr. Gwinji began his career in the health services of the Zimbabwe National Army in 1986 as a 2nd Lieutenant and steadily rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Brigadier General. In 2000, he was appointed as the Medical Officer to the Director General of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Health Services.
In 2009, Dr. Gwinji was appointed as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, where he was responsible for policy development and providing strategic direction for the ministry.
In September 2018, President Emmerson Mnangagwa made changes to the permanent secretaries, reassigning some and retiring others. However, Gerald Gwinji was retained as the Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care.
In December 2022, Aaron Nhepera was appointed as the new Secretary for Defence, and Gerald Gwinji was moved from the position of Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In January 2024, Dr. Gwinji was appointed as one of the seven commissioners of the Health Service Commission (HSC).
