Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's health workers strike

HARARE - Zimbabwean health workers went on strike this week to protest over the deterioration of standards in the sector. Major hospitals have almost closed down due to staff exodus and unavailability of drugs, while cholera is killing hundreds.

Parirenyatwa Hospital is Zimbabwe's largest referral centre, but beds are empty, testimony to the gravity of the situation in the country's health delivery system.

"In the whole country we have just one or two neuro-surgeons. Imagine servicing the entire nation. This is definitely not healthy," says Douglas Gwatido, President of Zimbabwe's Doctors for Human Rights.