Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Harare (Agenzia Fides)- “A war situation ” .This was how the international Red Cross Committee defined the health system in Zimbabwe where junior doctors and nurses are striking for higher salary and better working conditions. Medical staff has been engaged in illegal industrial action for months (see Fides 22 January 2007) and the government has been forced to mobilise army medical corps to guarantee a minimum of service in civilian hospitals.
ICRC communication delegate for Southern Africa Sebastian Brack said the crisis had reached "war situation" levels and could no longer be ignored if lives were to be saved. "We have begun slowly increasing humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe as a result of the economic situation. We have started setting up health institutions and organising training for health personnel in the remote areas as they are the worst affected by the brain drain." In fact doctors, nurses and other specialised personnel tend to emigrate to work in Botswana, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
The Zimbabwe Doctors Association for Human Rights says the health system has collapsed and that hospitals are turning away new patients and sending many others home.
The strike is mainly for better wages. Health workers are earning a maximum of Z$400,000 while the Poverty Datum Line is currently estimated to be over Z$2 million.
Health minister David Parirenyatwa, appealed to the private sector to intervene to help public healthcare system. “I appeal to the private sector and other involved parties to help the minister meet the challenges”. He said the private sector can intervene in administration. Among the priorities to face, the minister mentioned shortage of drugs and obsolete medical equipment.
Zimbabwe, once the granary of southern Africa, is in its 7th year of economic recession with 80% of the people living below the poverty line and inflation at a rate of 3713,9% (see Fides 22 May 2007). The country is ever more isolated internationally: in 2003 it left the Commonwealth and is subject to economic sanctions decided by the United Nations Organisation and the European Union. ( (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 5/6/2007 righe 36 parole 417)
