Zimbabwe’s Health and Child Care Minister, Douglas Mombeshora, has publicly stated that 60% of Zimbabweans are relying on traditional healers for medical assistance. The minister’s comments have thrown a spotlight on the deteriorating state of public healthcare, which has been crippled by a mass exodus of medical professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.
The foundation of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system has been weakened by decades of economic hardship, leading to a severe brain drain. It is reported that approximately 4,000 nurses, doctors, and other health workers have left the country for nations like the United Kingdom and South Africa in recent years.
This flight is primarily attributed to the government’s struggle to offer competitive salaries, with many professionals earning less than US$200 a month. The resulting shortages have left hospitals understaffed, under-equipped, and often lacking essential medicines, creating an environment where patients frequently fail to receive adequate treatment.
ALSO READ: Bulawayo Man Stabs Friend In The Eye Over Empty Beer Bottle Request
60% Of Zimbabweans Use Traditional Healers
Speaking at the inauguration of the Tait Medical Centre in Rusape, Minister Mombeshora made a direct appeal to the public, acknowledging the widespread use of traditional practitioners while urging a return to conventional medicine.
“I know 60% of people, who are gathered here, are seeking the services of n’angas (traditional healers) to get medical assistance,” he stated. “I know that I am not saying n’angas are not good, but there is a time you need to go to a hospital.”
His remarks are a rare official admission of the scale of the problem, coming at a time when reports consistently highlight the dire conditions within public health institutions.
Health Minister Promises Future Solutions
The minister pointed to the impending National Health Insurance Scheme Bill as a beacon of hope. He announced that the legislation is in its final stages and is anticipated to be presented to Parliament imminently, with full implementation targeted for 2026.
“Every Zimbabwean will be getting free medication, X-rays at every public hospital,” Mombeshora promised, outlining a vision for universal health coverage.
Despite these challenges, the minister noted some positive health outcomes, citing that Zimbabwe is no longer classified as a high-burden country for tuberculosis and has seen a decline in malaria cases. He also confirmed that the nation’s life expectancy has improved, now standing at 64 years for men and 68 years for women.
Follow Us on Google News for Immediate Updates
The post Zimbabwe Health Minister Reveals That 60% Of Zimbabweans Use Traditional Healers appeared first on iHarare News.
