News / National
Zanu-PF Minister bemoans collapse of health sector
23 May 2024 at 05:53hrs | Views
Nkayi North legislator Sithembiso Nyoni (Zanu-PF) expressed deep concern over the dire state of Zimbabwe's healthcare system, lamenting its collapse and the resultant necessity for locals to seek treatment across the border in South Africa.
Reports have surfaced of individuals facing humiliation from health personnel, particularly in South Africa, when they seek medical care there.
Attributing the collapse of the healthcare sector to years of underfunding, Nyoni, who also serves as the Environment, Climate, and Wildlife minister, acknowledged the urgent need for her government to prioritize the improvement of healthcare standards.
Speaking during a virtual discussion organized by the Nkayi Community Parliament, she highlighted how some Zimbabweans resort to seeking medical assistance in South Africa, traveling to places like Musina or larger hospitals due to insufficient local medical services.
Nyoni emphasized the importance of addressing operational challenges in both public and private healthcare sectors, stressing the necessity for increased budgetary allocations to healthcare.
She suggested a review of healthcare financing mechanisms, proposing that those who can afford to pay should do so, while the economically disadvantaged, particularly rural residents, should receive subsidized or free medical care.
Referring to a viral video from 2022 featuring South African medical doctor and Limpopo province Member of the Executive Committee for Health, Phophi Ramathuba, Nyoni reiterated the importance of addressing the strain placed on South Africa's healthcare system by immigrants.
The video showed Ramathuba dehumanizing a Zimbabwean patient awaiting surgery after an accident, accusing immigrants of burdening South Africa's healthcare system. Ramathuba's remarks also criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa's alleged failure to adequately fund Zimbabwe's healthcare system.
Reports have surfaced of individuals facing humiliation from health personnel, particularly in South Africa, when they seek medical care there.
Attributing the collapse of the healthcare sector to years of underfunding, Nyoni, who also serves as the Environment, Climate, and Wildlife minister, acknowledged the urgent need for her government to prioritize the improvement of healthcare standards.
Speaking during a virtual discussion organized by the Nkayi Community Parliament, she highlighted how some Zimbabweans resort to seeking medical assistance in South Africa, traveling to places like Musina or larger hospitals due to insufficient local medical services.
Nyoni emphasized the importance of addressing operational challenges in both public and private healthcare sectors, stressing the necessity for increased budgetary allocations to healthcare.
She suggested a review of healthcare financing mechanisms, proposing that those who can afford to pay should do so, while the economically disadvantaged, particularly rural residents, should receive subsidized or free medical care.
Referring to a viral video from 2022 featuring South African medical doctor and Limpopo province Member of the Executive Committee for Health, Phophi Ramathuba, Nyoni reiterated the importance of addressing the strain placed on South Africa's healthcare system by immigrants.
The video showed Ramathuba dehumanizing a Zimbabwean patient awaiting surgery after an accident, accusing immigrants of burdening South Africa's healthcare system. Ramathuba's remarks also criticized President Emmerson Mnangagwa's alleged failure to adequately fund Zimbabwe's healthcare system.
Source - southern eye
