Zimbabwe’s healthcare system in shambles

THE EDITOR, Madam:

It is heart breaking that Zimbabwe’s healthcare system – once a model for African countries — has collapsed, and the country is not in a state to celebrate World Health Day.

The irresponsible, reckless and irrational President Mnangagwa-administration has failed dealing dilapidated medical facilities, inad­equate healthcare infrastructure. Shortages of nurses and doctors, State hos­pit­als are unable to undertake the most basic operations because of shortages of anaesthetics, sutures, needles blood transfusion, drugs, painkillers and other essentials. The top three health threats facing Zimbabwe are HIV, tuberculosis and malaria all which are highly preventable. Poor water quality and sanitation contribute to the spread of water-borne disease like cholera and typhoid. It is equally disheartening to learn that those with money seek medical attention to neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia while the majority of Zimbabwe languish in dysfunction healthcare systems. Healthcare professionals have left the country to find better opportunities.

In any coun­try healthcare should be a corner­stone of human dig­nity. President Mnangagwa-administration and ZANU-PF have failed to prioritise healthcare.

President Mnangagwa has exposed a pro­found fail­ure of gov­ernance and the loss of human com­pas­sion at the highest level of lead­er­ship. Neighbouring countries healthcare budgets should not cater for Zimbabwe’s fail­ure.

MAUD BVUMBE

Zimbabwean Human Rights

Activist