Doctors demand urgent action to address health crisis at Sally Mugabe hospital
THE Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has criticized the government’s response to the crisis at Sally Mugabe Hospital, stating that it lacks urgency and specificity.
Nurses at the hospital, staged a protest Monday over poor salaries and poor working conditions, including the lack of basic amenities such as electricity and running water.
In response, the Ministry of Health and Child Care announced plans to address their grievances, which included water availability, elevator upgrades, adding a second staff bus, improved accommodation and cafeteria services and steps to resolve medical sundries supplies.
However, ZADHR condemned the government’s approach, arguing that it is not acting swiftly enough to resolve the urgent matter.
“We are concerned that the response lacks urgency and specificity. While plans to repair water tanks and elevators are necessary, they fail to address the immediate crisis.
“There is no clear timeline for resolving power and water shortages, nor any commitment to ensuring adequate medical supplies and improved working conditions for healthcare professionals.
“ZADHR calls on the government to take swift and decisive action, including immediate restoration of electricity and water supply at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital to prevent further disruption of critical healthcare services, transparency and accountability in the Ministry’s response, with clear timelines for addressing infrastructure failures and shortages and urgent investment in healthcare workers through fair remuneration, safe working conditions, and non-retaliation against those who voice legitimate concerns,” ZADHR said in a statement Friday.
ZADHR also warned that ignoring these issues would further escalate the public health crisis, putting lives at risk and weakening trust in Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.
“Failure to address these concerns will only deepen the public health crisis, endanger lives, and further erode confidence in Zimbabwe’s healthcare system,” ZADHR added.
The status quo at Sally Mugabe Hospital reflects broader issues across Zimbabwe’s public health sector, with conditions in rural hospitals even worse.
Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector remains severely underfunded and largely dependent on support from Western development partners. – _*NewZimbabwe*_
