Harare — THE paralysis in the health sector that has seen thousands succumbing to treatable diseases such as cholera is a result of poor prioritisation by the previous government, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said on Friday.
Tsvangirai made the observation after witnessing first hand the collapse of Harare Central Hospital during a two-hour tour that exposed how neglect had halted operations at the institution.
He heard that the institution needs US$1,5 million to restore operations, an amount the Prime Minister felt was affordable.
"I was advised that with US$1,5 million dollars, we should be able to spruce up this place and get the services running again," Tsvangirai said.
"We have to prioritise our level of national investments. "
He said a new mortuary has not been completed for the past 10 years.
Last year the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr Gideon Gono, splashed millions of United States dollars on luxury vehicles that were donated to members of the judiciary, parastatals and other organisations.
Millions of dollars in scarce foreign currency were also spent on the Farm Mechanisation Programme that involved the purchasing of farming equipment such as generators, tractors, combine harvesters and scotch carts.
The central bank through the so-called Medical Skills Retention programme bought cars for top medical staff running into thousands of US dollars while ignoring problems in the health sector.
"I think we need to appreciate that a healthy nation is a productive nation and without the health facilities and a health delivery system there is no way you can have a productive nation," Tsvangirai said.
As he moved through the casualty wards, maternity wing, paediatric section, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), kitchen and up to the mortuary, Tsvangirai constantly shook his head in disbelief as he came face to face with the extent of the decay at the institution.
Some of problems facing the hospital, Tsvangirai heard, were that the ICU has not been functioning for the past six years and the children's ward, closed in October last year because of the work boycott by health workers, has not reopened.
In the children's ICU life-saving equipment and machinery is not working and needs repairing.
The radiography department was also in a shambles, with X-ray equipment that has not been working for years, while there is no radiographer at the institution.
In addition, Tsvangirai heard that the hospital faced an acute shortage of essential life-saving drugs and other vital medicines.
After the tour Tsvangirai said he had a full appreciation of the problems facing the health delivery system and committed the inclusive government to revamping the country's health sector.
"I think I have an appreciation of the level of needs and challenges the chief executive and management team is facing and I think it's wide- ranging from infrastructure to staff conditions.
"All I can say is that this inclusive transitional government has put health delivery as one of its key priorities," Tsvangirai said.
During Tsvangirai's tour health workers who recently returned to work after the inclusive government promised to tackle their long running grievances broke into song and dance.
The secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Health Workers' Association, Dr Malcolm Masikati said Tsvangirai's visit had given workers hope that their working conditions would soon improve.
"The arrival of the Prime Minister is a good thing indeed as far as the development of the hospital's infrastructure is concerned. Harare hospital is one of the largest hospitals in Zimbabwe since we treat most people here," Masikati said.
"We also have the largest number of workers here and for him to come here it is a good starting point. At least he can get a reflection of how much the rest of the country's health sector must be suffering in Zimbabwe."
Masikati suggested the Prime Minister and the new Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Henry Madzorera consult representatives of the health workers in order to find ways of reviving the sector.
Zimbabwe's health sector collapsed as a result of neglect and under funding.
Under president Robert Mugabe's administration ministries such as Defence and Home Affairs were allocated the bulk of the funds in the national budget at the expense of critical sectors like health and education.
Unable to cope with poor salaries and sub-standard working conditions health workers walked out of their jobs in October last year, forcing authorities to close down the institutions.
For the first time in the history of independent Zimbabwe all health workers --doctors, nurses and support staff -- united and staged a protest march to protest against the decline of service delivery and conditions of service.
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We note that there was NOT a single condemnation of UK during the visit. Maybe there was, but this foreigner's paper would rather not saddle their Tsvangirai with too much wisdom, guile, sophistication or patriotism ..
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" .. after witnessing first hand .."
Well.
So, Tsvangirayi says that he did NOT know the state of Zimbabwe that he canvassed so long to lead.
So what was he promising to do for the people of Zimbabwe if he didn't know them? Nothing: The village clown merely detested those who dishonored his colonial slave-masters, the rhodies.
Was it just his ego that wished to have the title "President" after his name - just like Mobutu and Bokassa - and for that he undertook to restore the supremacy of the rhodie in Zimbabwe /South Africa?
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" .. After the tour Tsvangirai said he had a full appreciation of the problems ..."
Now that he appreciates the enormity of the problems, then perhaps he may go back to his rhodie handlers and submit his resignation. [Only to discover that once compromised he has no way out.]
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" .. Mugabe's administration ministries such as Defence and Home Affairs were allocated the bulk of the funds ... "
An imposition of economic sanctions is considered by western countries to be a hostile action that is tantamount to a declaration of war. Now, if Zimbabwe is in a state of war, does Tsvangirai realize that priorities in war times differ from those in peace times?
- does Tsvangirayi unequivocally recognize that an imposition of economic sanction on Zimbabwe - regardless of who is in power or whether Tsvangirai is alive or dead - is a hostile act that is not in the best interests of Zimbabweans - ALL Zimbabweans?
If he realizes that much then, has he publicly repudiated belligerent UK for the demonic hostile act - a declaration of war?
Suppose the same hostile powers impose economic sanctions on Zimbabwe while Tsvangirai is in power, what would he do?
Or is he, as a leader of Zimbabwe, ALWAYS going to do what the west tells him to do? If so, then for how long does he expect the patriotic people of the Chimurenga to tolerate him?
Chokora,
Mr "There were nearly 1 million people raped in the UK last year", why should Tsvangirai condemn the UK? What sanctions do the UK have on the poeple of Zimbabwe? None is the answer. A couple of ministers and corrupt officials, sure, but thats what you get for raping and pillaging the country.
Tell us what sanctions you are talking about... I dare you. The answer is you cant, and thats why you wont respond to this thread. Because you are a coward, and you have no rational argument to back up your emotional bollocks.
And what proof do you have that Tsvangirai has rhodie handlers? What nonsense. You remind me of Takunya when he says that Tsvangirai helped to draft the ZIDERA and also the CIA invented homosexuality. Thats the level of education of the people we are dealing with here.
So tell us why you think funds should be kept for defence when people are dying of starvation and cholera. I hear there are 100,000 cases now. Its a disgrace.
And clearly the santions against ministers (note they are not against the ordinary person) could be removed by simply installing a democratically elected government. Why are you afraid of doing this?
And nobody would bother imposing sanctions of any type of Tsvangirai because he is the democratically elected leader of Zimbabwe. There is no denying this. To suggest otherwise is simply deluded.
You really need to get your head out of the sand and stop accepting blood money from Mugabe to write on this site. You will be judged by your maker. And its not going to be good for you.