OCTOBER 2022
Right to Health
During the month, ZPP recorded 4 cases of violation of the right to health in
Buhera West, Bikita South and Mberengwa East constituencies. The violation
of the right to health includes the denial of the right to access healthcare
institutions such as clinics and hospitals. It also consists of denying access to
health-related services, including medicines. Health services must provide
goods and facilities to all without discrimination, and all services, goods and
facilities must be available, accessible, acceptable and of good quality.
Of particular significance reported the neglect of patients at Buhera hospital
by nurses on 19 October in Buhera West Ward 14. By mid-morning tea break
on the particular day, no single patient had been attended to. There was a
crisis at Mashoko hospital, ward 1, Bikita South, as only one anaesthetist and
two doctors were operating at the hospital. Four clinics, including Gawa,
Mukanga, Odzi and Ngorima feed Mashoko hospital, which has made it
difficult for people in the area. In Mberengwa East, ward 6, on 5 October, a
78-year-old man from Goromondo village was denied medical attention for
failing to pay the clinic’s US$1.00 card fee.
The right to health is recognized as a human right in the 1966 International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Zimbabwe is a signatory,
and state party to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights,
wherein article 16 provides for the right to health. The right to health is also
enshrined in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women. The right to health is protected under
Section 76 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The government must put in
place policies, laws and resources for the right to basic health care to be
enjoyed in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe Peace Project
Monthly Monitoring Report
15