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Zimbabwe Health Ministry refuses to admit healthcare system is deteriorating
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Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini dismissed claims about the deteriorating state of public hospitals as being largely fueled by "social media" during a heated session in Parliament on Wednesday.
Kwidini's remarks came after Youth Empowerment Minister Tinoda Machakaire had earlier taken to social media to urge President Emmerson Mnangagwa to visit public hospitals and see for himself the dire conditions that have plagued the sector. Despite widespread concerns about the collapse of Zimbabwe's healthcare system—ranging from poor working conditions for medical professionals to the lack of essential equipment—Kwidini insisted that the situation was much better than it appeared online.
"Social media is portraying a negative picture of the status of our healthcare," said Zanu-PF Chivi South MP Felix Maburutse, who sought clarification from Kwidini on Machakaire's plea. "May the minister update the House on the government policies and programmes that have been done so far and the roadmap in improving healthcare?"
Kwidini responded by dismissing the growing concerns as exaggerated on social media platforms. "As the ministry, we are doing wonders since 2018, to make sure the citizens receive quality care. What we are doing is only known by the patients, not the social media participants," he said. "As we speak right now, our citizens are very happy with the service delivery that we are giving."
Despite Kwidini's defense of the ministry's efforts, opposition MPs, including Charlton Hwende, interrupted the deputy minister, demanding that he address the legitimate concerns raised by the public. "He must just concentrate on responding to the legitimate issues that people are raising," Hwende urged.
Kwidini went on to claim that in the first 100 days of the first quarter of 2025, the ministry had made significant improvements, including upgrading hospital equipment across 63 districts—such as x-ray machines and theatre beds. He also attributed the delay in providing medicines and medical sundries to the country's reliance on imports, which he said take three to six months to be delivered.
"We are working with the Ministry of Finance to make sure all medicines and other sundries are availed. When we place orders, they are sourced out of the country," Kwidini explained. "However, I assure this House that in the shortest period of time, we will see improvements."
Despite Kwidini's reassurances, opposition MPs remained unconvinced, particularly about the inequalities in healthcare access. Caston Matewu, MP for Marondera Central, pointed out that the poorest in society were often left unable to afford basic medical supplies or treatment, a situation that continues to worsen due to the country's ongoing economic challenges.
"We know what is in these hospitals. There is growing inequality," Matewu said. "Most people who cannot access quality health services are those who cannot afford them."
During the session, Acting Speaker Joseph Tshuma dismissed claims that social media complaints could be taken seriously, asserting that only verifiable sources should be considered. "If the source of the complaints is from the media, print or whatever and is not verifiable, that cannot be regarded as a source of information," Tshuma stated.
However, Mbizo MP C. Madzivanyika challenged this view, citing that both Kwidini and Machakaire had used their verified social media accounts to discuss healthcare issues. "Twitter has verified accounts and unverified accounts. The Minister of Health and Child Care's Twitter account has a blue tick, which indicates that it is a verified account," Madzivanyika said.
The matter remains unresolved as Tshuma indicated that both ministers would need to be present in Parliament for further interrogation and verification of the claims.
Zimbabwe's healthcare system has been under increasing pressure due to years of neglect, a shortage of qualified healthcare workers, and a lack of necessary resources. Despite numerous petitions and protests from healthcare professionals, little action has been taken by the government to address the situation, leaving public hospitals increasingly unable to meet the needs of ordinary citizens.
Kwidini's remarks came after Youth Empowerment Minister Tinoda Machakaire had earlier taken to social media to urge President Emmerson Mnangagwa to visit public hospitals and see for himself the dire conditions that have plagued the sector. Despite widespread concerns about the collapse of Zimbabwe's healthcare system—ranging from poor working conditions for medical professionals to the lack of essential equipment—Kwidini insisted that the situation was much better than it appeared online.
"Social media is portraying a negative picture of the status of our healthcare," said Zanu-PF Chivi South MP Felix Maburutse, who sought clarification from Kwidini on Machakaire's plea. "May the minister update the House on the government policies and programmes that have been done so far and the roadmap in improving healthcare?"
Kwidini responded by dismissing the growing concerns as exaggerated on social media platforms. "As the ministry, we are doing wonders since 2018, to make sure the citizens receive quality care. What we are doing is only known by the patients, not the social media participants," he said. "As we speak right now, our citizens are very happy with the service delivery that we are giving."
Despite Kwidini's defense of the ministry's efforts, opposition MPs, including Charlton Hwende, interrupted the deputy minister, demanding that he address the legitimate concerns raised by the public. "He must just concentrate on responding to the legitimate issues that people are raising," Hwende urged.
Kwidini went on to claim that in the first 100 days of the first quarter of 2025, the ministry had made significant improvements, including upgrading hospital equipment across 63 districts—such as x-ray machines and theatre beds. He also attributed the delay in providing medicines and medical sundries to the country's reliance on imports, which he said take three to six months to be delivered.
"We are working with the Ministry of Finance to make sure all medicines and other sundries are availed. When we place orders, they are sourced out of the country," Kwidini explained. "However, I assure this House that in the shortest period of time, we will see improvements."
Despite Kwidini's reassurances, opposition MPs remained unconvinced, particularly about the inequalities in healthcare access. Caston Matewu, MP for Marondera Central, pointed out that the poorest in society were often left unable to afford basic medical supplies or treatment, a situation that continues to worsen due to the country's ongoing economic challenges.
"We know what is in these hospitals. There is growing inequality," Matewu said. "Most people who cannot access quality health services are those who cannot afford them."
During the session, Acting Speaker Joseph Tshuma dismissed claims that social media complaints could be taken seriously, asserting that only verifiable sources should be considered. "If the source of the complaints is from the media, print or whatever and is not verifiable, that cannot be regarded as a source of information," Tshuma stated.
However, Mbizo MP C. Madzivanyika challenged this view, citing that both Kwidini and Machakaire had used their verified social media accounts to discuss healthcare issues. "Twitter has verified accounts and unverified accounts. The Minister of Health and Child Care's Twitter account has a blue tick, which indicates that it is a verified account," Madzivanyika said.
The matter remains unresolved as Tshuma indicated that both ministers would need to be present in Parliament for further interrogation and verification of the claims.
Zimbabwe's healthcare system has been under increasing pressure due to years of neglect, a shortage of qualified healthcare workers, and a lack of necessary resources. Despite numerous petitions and protests from healthcare professionals, little action has been taken by the government to address the situation, leaving public hospitals increasingly unable to meet the needs of ordinary citizens.
Source - NewZimbabwe
