ZWACT Petitions Parliament on Critical Gaps in Hea...

ZWACT Petitions Parliament on Critical Gaps in Healthcare

Munyaradzi Blessing Doma

The Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust, which campaigns against corruption with a focus on its devastating impact on women and girls in Zimbabwean communities, petitioned Parliament last Tuesday, demanding an inquiry into critical gaps in healthcare governance.

In the petition submitted by Executive Director Sandra Matendere, ZWACT highlighted concerns raised in the Auditor General's reports on Appropriation Accounts, Finance and Revenue Statements, and Fund Accounts for the years ending December 31, 2022, and 2023.

The AG’s reports pointed out critical issues in Zimbabwe’s healthcare governance, including procurement gaps and the failure to implement key health programs aimed at improving citizens’ access to healthcare.

“Now concerned by the deteriorating state of the health system in Zimbabwe, further concerned by the persistent shortage of essential medical supplies, including life-saving medicines, which continues to undermine healthcare services and ultimately impact women's health rights,” reads part of the petition, which this reporter has obtained.

The petition urges Parliament to “utilize its oversight role to institute an inquiry into the progress made by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in implementing the recommendations proposed by the Auditor General in 2022 and 2023.”

These recommendations include establishing robust mechanisms for transparency and accountability in procurement processes within the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

“Health is a critical variable for measuring human development and well-being. Improved health is linked to economic development.

“Quality healthcare provision depends on effectively merging financial and human resources and ensuring that health services are delivered in a timely fashion throughout the country.

“Zimbabwe has a progressive Constitution that guarantees access to basic health services under Section 76.

“In the National Development Strategy 2021-2025 (NDS), health is identified as central to human happiness, making it a crucial contributor to economic progress. Healthy people live longer and are more productive. Additionally, the vision of the National Development Strategy is to ensure the highest possible level of health and quality of life for all Zimbabweans by 2030.

“Zimbabwe has a diversified healthcare system that includes contributions from various actors such as the government, rural and urban councils, and the private sector. These entities provide primary healthcare, reproductive health services, and specialized treatments,” the petition further states.

It also highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the country's health sector, caused by several factors, including alleged procurement malpractices and poor supply chain management.

“These issues have led to shortages of critical medical supplies, severely impacting maternal health services, prenatal and postnatal care, cancer screenings, and other key health services for women.

“The public health system remains the largest provider of healthcare services, complemented by mission hospitals and NGOs. However, it continues to face numerous challenges, including a shortage of skilled professionals and healthcare staff, a lack of essential medicines and commodities, obsolete or unavailable equipment, and a lack of specialized medical services.

“The recent Masvingo-Beitbridge highway bus accident on February 13, 2025, further highlighted these challenges.

“A statement from the Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed that 25 people died in the accident. Of the 29 injured passengers, some were admitted to Beitbridge District Hospital, two were taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital, and 13 critically injured passengers were transferred to United Bulawayo Group of Hospitals.

“Images circulating on social media depict the injured in makeshift cardboard box ‘splints’ within rundown hospital facilities.

“Neshuro District Hospital, one of the closest hospitals to the accident scene, was previously reported to be facing serious challenges, including a non-functional mortuary.

“This tragedy has exposed the dire state of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system and the urgent need to address its challenges,” the petition adds.

The petition also highlights the persistent shortage of medical supplies, which has severely impacted women's access to healthcare, particularly in maternal health, reproductive health services, and chronic disease treatment.

It further reveals that many state hospitals lack essential medicines, contraceptives, and maternity care resources, forcing women to seek expensive private care or go without treatment.

“These shortages ultimately worsen Zimbabwe's maternal mortality rates. Consequently, they have increased the health system’s vulnerability to corruption.

“The Auditor General’s report for the year ending December 31, 2023, presented before Parliament in 2024, raised several concerns regarding Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector.

“The report noted that there was no evidence that the Ministry of Health and Child Care applied for the 2023 procurement authority from the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.

"As a result, the Ministry operated without a valid procurement authority and an approved procurement plan for the year under review, contrary to Section 20 of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23].

“This is a significant gap in the Ministry’s procurement processes, especially considering the persistent shortages of essential medical equipment in Zimbabwe.

“These findings suggest serious lapses in procurement procedures within the Ministry of Health and Child Care, raising concerns about potential corruption and inefficiencies affecting service delivery.

“As previously mentioned, the healthcare sector is in a state of crisis, and urgent action is needed to address critical governance gaps to improve the quality of healthcare in Zimbabwe. State hospitals and clinics continue to suffer from a lack of medical supplies, as seen in the Beitbridge case, which ultimately affects those in need of critical care.

“The report highlights deficiencies that compromise health outcomes in Zimbabwe.

“The Auditor General’s findings emphasize the urgent need for enhanced transparency and accountability in healthcare management to ensure equitable access for all Zimbabweans,” the petition concludes.