Mnangagwa Blames Sanctions For Health Sector Challenges

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has blamed sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western powers for the near-collapse of the country’s health delivery system.

Addressing delegates at the 42nd national Independence Day celebrations held at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Monday, Mnangagwa said:

In spite of the devastating illegal and unjustified economic sanctions on our health delivery system and other social services, we are not burying our heads in the sand.

We are certainly moving forward. Key milestones are being achieved, with Zimbabwe recording a reduction in maternal mortality.

Mnangagwa said in spite of the sanctions, his administration is reviving the country’s pharmaceutical sector. He said:

The resuscitation of the Pharmaceutical Sector through the deployment of various research and development initiatives at innovation hubs is being speeded up. I call upon our people to remain alert to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President also urged the public to stay alert to the coronavirus and parents to ensure the vaccination of their children aged 12 years and above. He said:

In order to protect our children from the pandemic, parents and guardians are urged to facilitate the vaccination of children from the age of 12 years.

Zimbabwe’s health sector has experienced a brain drain over the years as experienced health professionals have moved abroad seeking greener pastures.

Recently, award-winning investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono exposed the dire state of cancer treatment in Zimbabwe.

The country’s public hospitals are operating without radiotherapy or chemotherapy machines to treat cancer patients.

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