Published: 5 hours ago

Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora has revealed that more than 60% of Zimbabweans are turning to traditional healers for medical assistance, a trend he said underscores the urgent need to restore confidence in the country's ailing healthcare system.

Speaking at the official opening of the Tait Medical Centre in Rusape yesterday, Mombeshora urged citizens to balance traditional practices with modern healthcare services.

"I know 60% of people who are gathered here are seeking the services of n'angas to get medical assistance," he said. "I am not saying n'angas are not good, but there is a time you need to go to a hospital."

His comments come amid widespread reports of deteriorating conditions in public hospitals, where shortages of drugs, staff, and equipment have left many patients without treatment. The crisis has been compounded by the mass exodus of health professionals, with at least 4 000 workers leaving Zimbabwe in recent years for better-paying jobs abroad, mainly in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

For decades, Treasury has failed to allocate 15% of the national budget to health in line with the Abuja Declaration, a 2001 African Union commitment to strengthen healthcare systems and ensure universal access.

Mombeshora, however, said government was working on reforms to improve the situation. He announced that the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill was at an advanced stage and expected to be presented to Parliament this month. If passed, the law would pave the way for free treatment, including access to medicines and diagnostic services, by 2026.

"The Bill is at final stages and we anticipate presenting it to Parliament this month with full implementation expected in 2026. Every Zimbabwean will be getting free medication and X-rays at every public hospital," he said.

The minister also highlighted improvements in some health indicators, noting that Zimbabwe is no longer classified as a high-burden country for tuberculosis and that malaria cases have declined despite periodic outbreaks. He added that life expectancy has risen to 64 years for men and 68 years for women.

Zimbabwe's healthcare system, once lauded after independence in 1980 for its effective public health initiatives, has struggled in recent decades under economic decline, political instability, and underfunding. Hospitals remain under-equipped, many lack essential medicines, and the loss of skilled staff to migration has worsened service delivery.
- Newsday

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