Zanu PF delegates face mandatory health screening

ZANU PF delegates attending the ruling party's annual conference are being subjected to mandatory health screening, with proof of testing required for accreditation, raising concerns among some delegates over the collection of their personal medical information.

The screening includes blood pressure, blood glucose, prostate cancer and breast cancer tests. It is being conducted by NetOne's One Health in collaboration with ZimSmart Villages.

A card titled "Your Health Passport – Proof of Screening" requires delegates to provide personal details, including their names, districts of origin, dates of birth and phone numbers.

Delegates are not permitted to attend the conference without the proof-of-screening card. However, those who fail the screening are not barred from participating but are advised to arrange further clinical assessments.

Health workers record positive results when potential health concerns are identified and negative results when no concerns are detected.

The exercise, which is being conducted at Zanu PF headquarters in Harare, has raised questions among some delegates about the purpose of collecting sensitive medical information and how it will be used.

One delegate from Bulawayo told ZimLive that the process had caused unease, arguing that the tests should have been voluntary.

"This is highly unusual and leaves one feeling a sense of unease. For whom is this data being collected, and what do they intend to use it for? These are highly personal tests. It should have been voluntary, in case others don't mind," the delegate said.

A delegate from Mashonaland West described the screening as relatively quick, noting that modern equipment was being used, but questioned the motives behind gathering the information.

"Is someone collecting health information about their political rivals? What's the purpose of this? Is it even legal?" the delegate asked.

The concerns centre on the handling and intended use of delegates' personal health information, although no evidence has been presented that the data is being collected for political purposes.

The party's annual conference programme began with a Politburo meeting on Tuesday, followed by a Central Committee meeting on Wednesday. Activities are then scheduled to move to Chinhoyi, where the conference at Chinhoyi University of Technology is expected to conclude on Saturday.