BULAWAYO – The Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) has issued a sharp rebuke of the government over the worsening conditions at Mpilo Hospital, highlighting severe shortages of resources, essential medical equipment, and staff that are increasingly undermining patient care.
In an official statement, ZAPU Deputy Secretary of Health and Welfare, Dr. Bekithema Bulle, described the situation as a stark reflection of the state’s failure to protect the health and well-being of its citizens. According to Dr. Bulle, the chronic underfunding of hospitals and persistent lack of essential medical infrastructure is symptomatic of a healthcare system teetering on the brink of collapse.
“The chronic underfunding, resource shortages, and lack of essential medical equipment are a clear indication of a healthcare system in crisis,” Dr. Bulle said. “Just recently, patients reportedly waited for more than 15 hours at the Mpilo Area C Neurosurgical section without receiving any medical attention. This is shameful and unacceptable.”
The party argued that these deficiencies not only endanger patients’ lives but also demoralize healthcare workers, who are left struggling to operate in conditions that are often unsafe and unsanitary. Dr. Bulle emphasized that addressing these issues requires urgent and sustained government intervention, rather than relying on short-term donations or temporary fixes.
ZAPU has called for the immediate implementation and strict enforcement of comprehensive health policies aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient management within the healthcare sector. These policies, they argue, should focus on attracting and retaining qualified medical personnel, investing in infrastructure development, and maintaining existing facilities to meet minimum healthcare standards.
ZAPU Blasts Government Over Mpilo Hospital Crisis: Calls for Urgent Healthcare Reform
“Shortages of basic essentials such as food, water, and electricity in our hospitals are deplorable. It is a disgrace that patients are forced to endure such conditions while the government fails to act,” Dr. Bulle added. The deputy secretary underscored that a functional healthcare system is central to national development and public trust, stressing that citizens should not have to suffer due to administrative negligence or financial mismanagement.
While ZAPU acknowledged the contributions of non-governmental organizations, including recent donations from Nedbank Zimbabwe, which provided four orthopaedic beds to Mpilo Hospital, the party stressed that reliance on external support is neither sustainable nor a substitute for robust government funding. “Donations from private organizations are helpful, but they cannot replace the government’s duty to fully fund our healthcare system. Zimbabweans deserve a government that prioritizes health care as a fundamental right,” Dr. Bulle said.
The party further urged the government to act immediately to address the staffing crisis, noting that many hospitals, including Mpilo, are operating with a fraction of the required medical professionals. The lack of doctors, nurses, and support staff not only delays treatment but also places undue pressure on the few healthcare workers on duty, increasing the likelihood of errors and compromising patient outcomes.
ZAPU also drew attention to the lack of modern equipment and essential medical supplies, citing broken diagnostic machines, insufficient surgical tools, and depleted pharmaceutical stocks as key challenges. These shortcomings, the party argued, prevent hospitals from providing quality care and force patients to seek treatment at private facilities they may not afford.
The party’s statement concluded with a call for collective citizen action, urging the public to demand accountability and tangible solutions from the government. “Zimbabweans must unite and insist on immediate reforms to our healthcare system. Together, we can build a health sector that truly prioritizes the needs of our citizens and ensures that no one dies waiting for care due to government neglect,” Dr. Bulle said.
ZAPU’s criticism of the government comes amid growing public concern over healthcare access and quality in Zimbabwe. Across the country, patients are reporting long wait times, frequent power outages, and a shortage of essential medical supplies—issues that have sparked protests and widespread social media campaigns calling for government intervention.
As the debate over healthcare reform intensifies, ZAPU’s intervention adds pressure on authorities to respond decisively. The party’s call for increased funding, improved infrastructure, and transparent management underscores the urgent need for systemic reform, highlighting the critical link between citizen well-being and national stability.
Without immediate action, the situation at Mpilo and other public hospitals risks deteriorating further, with dire consequences for patients and the broader healthcare system. ZAPU maintains that only a government-led, fully funded, and accountable approach can reverse the current crisis and restore confidence in Zimbabwe’s health sector.
Source- bulawayo24
