Healthcare Infrastructure Under Threat in Zimbabwe
The Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) has raised concerns over proposed amendments to Statutory Instrument 330 of 2000, which could restrict medical aid societies from operating clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and laboratories. These changes would require medical aid societies to disinvest within 36 months, prompting AHFoZ to call for a halt to the process.
In a letter addressed to the Health and Child Care ministry, AHFoZ highlighted that these amendments could undermine the right to healthcare, particularly for millions of clients and beneficiaries, including civil servants. The organization argues that if implemented, the changes would force ordinary Zimbabweans to seek care at private surgeries and clinics, where fees are often unaffordable for many.
This development comes amid a deteriorating state of government health facilities, which face shortages of basic drugs and medicines. Nurses are also leaving their jobs due to poor working conditions, exacerbating the crisis.
A shadowy Zanu PF affiliate group called the Pharmacists and Allied Professionals 4ED recently confirmed that individuals are prepared to take over medical-aid-run facilities. In its petition dated April 15, addressed to the clerk of Parliament, AHFoZ stated that the proposed changes would “reduce healthcare infrastructure capacity” and “limit access, particularly for vulnerable populations.”
The petition also raised constitutional, legal, economic, and public interest concerns regarding the proposed amendments. It argued that the changes violate several sections of the Zimbabwean constitution, including the Right to Healthcare (Section 76), administrative justice (Section 68), property rights (Section 71), and freedom of trade and economic activity (Section 64).
“The constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees every citizen the right to access basic healthcare services,” the petition read. “Medical aid societies currently directly contribute to the realisation of this right by expanding access through clinics, pharmacies, and diagnostic centres.”
AHFoZ requested the suspension of the amendment process to allow for stakeholder consultation and referral to the parliamentary portfolio committee on health for hearings. It emphasized the need for structured stakeholder dialogue to address the potential impacts of the proposed changes.
“The proposed amendment is constitutionally defective, legally inconsistent, economically harmful, and contrary to public interest,” the organization said. “The current framework allowing medical aid societies to operate healthcare service arms remains essential for Zimbabwe.”
Sources within the sector have indicated that cartels are already seeking to take over clinics and hospitals owned by medical aid societies. A health expert noted that the actual owners of these investments are the members of various societies who have pooled their funds to ensure access to quality care for themselves, families, and the public.
Last week, the Pharmacists and Allied Professionals 4ED supported the proposed changes, urging the government to establish empowerment vehicles to take over the running of facilities owned by medical aid societies. According to Tichaona Musavenganya, secretary-general of the group, Zimbabwe has adequate qualified healthcare professionals with sufficient financial resources and government support to purchase shares and assume ownership of healthcare centers operated by affected funders.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) recently highlighted deep-rooted structural challenges in the country’s health system, stemming from decades of underfunding. According to the ZHRC, health facilities are also dealing with dysfunctional mortuaries, outdated incinerators, and poor water and sanitation systems, alongside worsening staff welfare concerns.
The ZHRC warned that without urgent intervention to modernize infrastructure and address resource gaps, Zimbabwe risks further erosion of healthcare standards, despite existing constitutional guarantees.
