Zimbabwe left with only one qualified forensic pathologist

Zimbabwe is facing a critical shortage of forensic pathologists, a situation exacerbated by brain drain and low interest among local doctors to specialise in the field, Health Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told Parliament on Wednesday.

During a question-and-answer session, Dr Mombeshora revealed that the country currently has only one qualified forensic pathologist, creating significant challenges in conducting post-mortems, particularly for murder investigations.

The issue was raised by Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP Lynett Karenyi, who asked about government policy on medico-legal post-mortem examinations and why bodies from across the country are transported to Harare for assessment.

"Of late, there have been challenges with postmortems, especially forensic. These specialised procedures are conducted by forensic pathologists with distinct training and expertise beyond that of general pathologists," Dr Mombeshora said. "Apparently, we do not have enough forensic pathologists in the country. We have only one qualified forensic pathologist at the moment, and we have relied on recruiting from outside the country."

To address the shortage, the government has recruited three forensic pathologists from Cuba, who started work on October 1. Dr Mombeshora said their arrival will help ease the burden on the existing pathologist and allow forensic examinations to be conducted in provincial hospitals equipped with the necessary facilities.

He highlighted the challenges faced by mortuaries, which often lack the equipment required for forensic pathology. Consequently, bodies have to be transported to central hospitals in Harare, such as Sally Mugabe, Parirenyatwa, or Chitungwiza, and in Bulawayo to Mpilo Hospital or United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).

Dr Mombeshora also addressed the broader issue of brain drain among healthcare professionals. He said the Health Service Commission is working on incentives, including improved salaries and benefits for those serving outside metropolitan areas, to retain local talent.

"We hope that by next year, we will be training more, and in the coming four years, we may see more forensic pathologists emerging," he said.

The minister's remarks underscore the urgent need to strengthen Zimbabwe's forensic pathology sector to ensure timely and efficient medico-legal investigations across the country.