Fix healthcare system first
25 September 2024
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By Linda Tsungirirai Masarira

24 September 2024

The healthcare crisis in Zimbabwe is reaching critical levels, with millions of citizens unable to access even the most basic services. The high cost of medical insurance, compounded by the need for out-of-pocket payments, disproportionately affects low-income workers, senior citizens, and civil servants. Many are forced to pay shortfalls even when they have medical aid, pushing already vulnerable populations further into poverty and causing unnecessary suffering.

We can not ignore the tragic reality that more than 60% of Zimbabweans are dying prematurely because of their inability to afford healthcare. This is not only a health crisis but a national security threat. A population plagued by poor health is a population at risk. A nation where its people can not access healthcare is a nation on the brink of disaster.

The shenanigans in the health insurance sector must be condemned in the strongest terms. Health insurance in Zimbabwe is not fulfilling its purpose to protect the people. It has become a profiteering venture at the expense of human life. The government must recognize that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for the wealthy. The lack of concern for public health is deeply troubling and unacceptable in a country that claims to value its citizens.

It is crucial to highlight that the current healthcare system is in
𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟕𝟔 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐙𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐰𝐞, which explicitly enshrines the right to access basic healthcare services. This section makes it clear that no person should be denied emergency medical treatment, and more importantly, that 𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲. The government of Zimbabwe has failed to uphold this constitutional obligation, leaving millions of Zimbabweans without the medical care they need to survive.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and yet, the health sector is flagrantly disregarding these provisions. This neglect has not only created a two-tier system where the rich can access healthcare while the poor suffer, but it has also led to preventable deaths. The government’s failure to comply with this fundamental right is an infringement on human dignity and a national disgrace.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝: 𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐙𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐰𝐞

To address this crisis, we propose the immediate implementation of
𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐙𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐧 in all public hospitals and local authority clinics. This is not only a moral obligation but also an economic imperative. Healthy citizens are productive citizens. Access to healthcare should never be dependent on one’s financial standing.

Furthermore, we call for 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬. These conditions are life-threatening and require constant care, which should not be subject to financial barriers. It is time we prioritize the lives of our people by removing the burdens that prevent them from seeking treatment.

Finally, 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐁𝐕 (𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞) 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐬 must be guaranteed. No one should ever be interrogated or made to wait for medical assistance after an accident or assault. Time is of the essence in these situations, and delaying care could mean the difference between life and death.

These proposals are not beyond our reach. With political will and a commitment to serving the people, Zimbabwe can achieve a healthcare system that truly reflects the values of equality, dignity, and compassion. The government must step up to protect the health of its citizens, for a nation that fails to care for its people will surely fail in every other regard.

This is not just a healthcare issue. It is a matter of life and death, and we can not afford to look away any longer.