Mangwana stirs hornet's nest by labelling some doctors as 'medical assassins'

Zimbabwean govt spokesman Nick Mangwana has stirred a hornet's nest by insinuating that there are doctors who are now killing "certain political players" in hospitals.

This was in the context of ministers dying of Covid-19 attacks amid growing fears of weaponisation of the virus.

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights has taken umbrage at remarks by Mangwana.

It said govt must stop harassing doctors.
Noah Lameck, a medical doctor, said: "Nick that's a serious allegation, I hope you have evidence to that matter. Unlike your fellow comrades we don't kill people, we save lives regardless of any background. After all the risks we are taking this is all what you are thinking".

Mangwana shot back at the doctor, saying: "Not every doctor is a killer but killer doctors are not a strange phenomenon. I can give you a very long list in history which include serial killers and mass murderers. Don't take it personally, if this boot doesn't fit, don't wear it".


Below is the statement in full:



The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has noted with concern the escalating tensions in the health sector. Of key concern are the following recent issues:

- The branding of certain medical professionals as "medical assassins" by a senior government official.

- The threats of arrests, and deregistration of medical practitioners who are alleged to have communicated unethical statements on social media.
 
ZADHR strongly advises against continuous persecution of health care professionals. Cases of alleged medical misconduct, if any, must always be handled by the appropriate medical regulatory bodies. Across the globe, self-regulation of medical practitioners has been adopted as the standard approach for ensuring adherence to the highest standards of ethical practice in the medical sector.

Furthermore, we advise that the continuous persecution of medical practitioners is likely to destabilise the health sector during this time when the nation is supposed to be focusing on resolving the COVID-19 crisis. Government must be seen to be applauding the positive role being played by frontline health workers who are working tirelessly to provide essential services during this pandemic, risking their lives to save Zimbabweans in the process. The COVID-19 crisis requires close collaboration between government, health workers and all citizens.