MP raises concern over limited hospital visiting hours

Mkoba South opposition legislator John Kuka has voiced concerns about the restricted visiting times at public hospitals, arguing that these limitations disadvantage patients by reducing the support they receive from relatives.

Speaking during a recent National Assembly question-and-answer session, Kuka urged the government to reconsider visitation policies in public hospitals, saying that allowing more visiting time could help ease the strain caused by staff shortages.

"We urge the government to restore hospital visitation policies in general hospitals due to staff shortages," Kuka said. "Allowing family members to visit and support their loved ones can help fill the gap in care, including assisting with medication, given the current shortages in our hospitals."

He noted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital visits were more frequent, but since then, many hospitals have maintained restricted visitation, limiting patients to one visit per day with a small number of visitors—policies which have yet to be relaxed.

In response, Health Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini explained that the visitation limits were introduced primarily to curb infections brought into hospitals by visitors. He maintained that current visiting hours are sufficient for relatives to interact with their sick family members.

The debate highlights ongoing challenges in balancing patient care, infection control, and resource shortages within Zimbabwe's public health system.