Public hospitals now death traps, says residents

Residents in Bulawayo have expressed growing frustration with the deteriorating state of service delivery at government hospitals, citing long delays, misdiagnoses, and a rising wave of corrupt practices that are putting patients' lives at risk.

In interviews with Southern Eye, several residents shared harrowing experiences of substandard treatment, highlighting the severe consequences of the poor quality of care at public health facilities. One resident recounted her painful experience: "I was admitted recently, and it took the doctors about three days to attend to me, not considering that I was in pain and needed to be treated as soon as possible."

Another resident detailed the distressing condition of her son, who was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital in a critical state. "When I arrived with my son at the hospital, they gave him a bed but still, the services were very slow to an extent that I was angered," she said, pointing to the prolonged wait despite the urgent need for medical attention.

The situation has become even more dire with reports of increasing cases of incorrect prescriptions being issued to patients. These incidents were highlighted during the funeral of Bulawayo socialite Rose Nyathi, better known as Gogo Wodumo. It was revealed that doctors at Mpilo Hospital had prescribed her diabetes medication, despite the fact that she had never been diagnosed with the condition. Another doctor later acknowledged that the medication was incorrect, raising concerns about the accuracy of prescriptions at government hospitals.

Residents also expressed frustration over the prevalence of corruption at public health facilities, with many claiming that patients must pay bribes to receive better or faster service. "When one wants to be attended to promptly, you have to part with some money outside the fees you are supposed to pay for services and medication," said a resident.

The situation worsened with the revelation that a suspected fake doctor had been working at Mpilo Hospital for years, prescribing the wrong medication to patients and accepting bribes. The man, identified as Prosper Taurai Vanhuvaone, who had been posing as Dr. Prosper Mpofu, is facing charges for impersonating a doctor, prescribing incorrect medication, and extorting money from patients. His arrest has raised concerns about the lack of oversight at public hospitals, with residents accusing the government of failing to properly monitor medical staff.

"The government knows very well that we cannot afford to go to private hospitals, yet they are doing nothing. We are now becoming stressed to be admitted because, instead of having hope of healing, we feel like we are digging our own graves," said one concerned resident.

Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) Chairperson Winos Dube called on victims of poor treatment and corruption to come forward so they could be supported in seeking justice and pushing for improvements in government-run hospitals. "It is very sad and unfortunate that we are finding such corrupt practices in our public hospitals, yet people will be seeking treatment but are attended to slowly. I urge that affected victims come forward so that we can address the issues both at the hospital and with the government," said Dube.

In response to the growing concerns, Bulawayo Provincial Medical Director Maphios Siamuchembu acknowledged that complaints about the poor service at government hospitals have reached his office. "I have personally engaged the police to help investigate these issues, but it just seems that no one is motivated to get to the bottom of it," Siamuchembu said.

Siamuchembu explained that his role in the affairs of Mpilo Hospital is limited to advocacy, as the hospital is managed by a chief medical officer. "My involvement in the affairs of Mpilo is limited to advocacy," he added.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care was contacted for comment, but Minister Douglas Mombeshora disconnected the call when approached.

As the situation at Bulawayo's government hospitals continues to worsen, residents are calling for urgent action to address the critical issues of service delivery, mismanagement, and corruption that are jeopardizing the well-being of patients.