Zimbabwe’s healthcare system is facing one of its most critical challenges in decades as medical doctors continue to leave the country in large numbers in search of better-paying jobs and improved working conditions abroad. The steady migration has left hospitals across the country understaffed, with rural communities bearing the heaviest burden of the exodus.
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, raised alarm over the worsening situation during a parliamentary session this week. He acknowledged that the departure of doctors has created significant gaps in service delivery, particularly in remote areas where hospitals and clinics already struggle with limited resources.
“Right now, the challenge of us not getting doctors in these hospitals is that we are still training more doctors because doctors have left the country for greener pastures,” Kwidini said. “Therefore, we are looking forward to having more doctors in 2029 to 2030 to service these rural hospitals.”
The deputy minister’s comments underscored how the problem has become long-term rather than temporary. Zimbabwe continues to produce medical graduates, but many exit the country soon after completing their internships, leaving the system with few experienced practitioners.
Rural hospitals and clinics are struggling the most. In many districts, patients, particularly the elderly, are forced to walk long distances or rely on costly transport just to access basic medical care. This has worsened health inequalities, as rural populations often lack the means to seek private healthcare.
Kwidini identified the lack of proper accommodation as one of the major obstacles to retaining doctors in rural service.
“It is true that we need doctors in rural hospitals so that elderly people do not have to travel long distances to see doctors,” he said. “We have a challenge with the doctors’ houses in district hospitals. Once accommodation is provided, doctors can be stationed closer to the communities.”
Health experts say that without decent housing, adequate salaries, and functional facilities, convincing doctors to work outside urban centers remains a near-impossible task. In some rural clinics, even basics such as running water, reliable electricity, and modern equipment are still missing.
Zimbabwe’s Health Sector Struggles as Doctors Continue to Leave for Greener Pastures
Another factor complicating deployment is patient numbers. Some rural health centers record low volumes of patients, making it difficult to justify permanently assigning doctors to such areas. Instead, nurses and visiting medical officers often shoulder the workload, though this limits access to specialized services.
This has forced many patients to turn to private hospitals and clinics, where treatment costs are beyond the reach of most Zimbabweans. For low-income families, this often means delaying medical attention until conditions worsen, creating further public health risks.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has acknowledged the crisis and pledged to improve working conditions for health professionals. Renovations are currently underway at some public hospitals, including the capital’s Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, in a bid to modernize infrastructure and enhance service delivery.
However, critics argue that improvements have been slow and piecemeal, while wages and incentives for health workers remain uncompetitive compared to regional and international standards.
For instance, countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa have continued to recruit Zimbabwean doctors, offering significantly higher pay and better facilities. This has fueled the brain drain, with many young doctors viewing emigration as their only viable option.
Health unions have repeatedly warned that unless meaningful reforms are implemented, the trend will only worsen. Already, thousands of nurses and doctors have left Zimbabwe over the past decade, leaving public hospitals chronically short-staffed.
Efforts such as increasing medical school enrollments have not been sufficient to close the gap, as many graduates leave immediately after completing their training. By the government’s own admission, it could take until 2029 or beyond before enough doctors are available to adequately staff rural hospitals.
The ongoing exodus is not only straining the healthcare system but also jeopardizing Zimbabwe’s long-term health outcomes. Experts warn that maternal health, child mortality, and the management of chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hypertension could all worsen if the shortage persists.
The government has emphasized the importance of retaining medical professionals through better remuneration, improved accommodation, and greater investment in rural infrastructure. Yet, health advocates insist that only sustained and comprehensive reforms will stem the tide of departures.
For now, the shortage of doctors continues to disrupt lives across the country, particularly in marginalized communities. Without urgent measures to improve working conditions and restore confidence in the health system, Zimbabwe risks further erosion of its medical workforce — and with it, the wellbeing of millions of its citizens.
Source- Bulawayo24
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