Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo is the hospital with the highest patient mortality rate in Zimbabwe, patient admission records from January to August 2024 have shown.
According to statistics on general patient outcomes at central hospitals, <a href="https://cite.org.zw/mpilo-hospital-leads-in-patient-death-statistics/">obtained by CITE</a>, Mpilo Hospital recorded the highest mortality rate in the country’s referral hospitals at 8.4%, followed closely by Parirenyatwa Hospital at 8%.
From January to August 2024, Mpilo Hospital had a total of 18 367 admissions and 17 316 discharges.
Parirenyatwa in Harare had 19 437 total admissions and 18 586 number of discharges.
The higher death percentages at Mpilo and Parirenyatwa hospitals could indicate more critically ill patients or challenges in resource allocation and care.
Sally Mugabe Hospital, despite handling the largest admissions at 39 395 and 36 757 discharges, reported a 7.4 per cent death rate, which remains low compared to Mpilo and Parirenyatwa.
United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) recorded a five per cent death rate from 16 230 admissions and 15 389 discharges.
Despite the patient mortality rate, the hospitals showed most admitted patients were discharged successfully, with discharges close to admission numbers.
Chitungwiza Hospital stands out with a very high discharge rate, recording the lowest death percentage at four per cent as the total number of discharges 15,817 is almost equal to admissions 15 865.
These statistics were shared in a Ministry of Health and Child Care end-of-year review and planning meeting which was held in Bulawayo from December 9 to 13, 2024.
CITE reported hospital sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, as saying dwindling resources and poor management are contributing to Mpilo’s crisis.
Bulawayo Provincial Medical Director (PMD), Dr Maphios Siamuchembu, referred inquiries regarding Mpilo’s performance to the hospital’s administration. He said:
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Information on Mpilo Hospital can be obtained from the Mpilo Central Hospital run by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Dzvanga. If you look for Dr Dzvanga you can ask him all the questions.
</blockquote>
However, contacted for contact, the CMO – Dr Dzvanga, who was on leave, directed questions to the acting CMO, Professor Solwayo Ngwenya.
Prof Ngwenya, also Mpilo’s Clinical Director, acknowledged “the figures are terrible” but assured that “ the hospital is taking measures to restore the hospital to its previous better standing.”
In an interview with CITE, Dr Themba Bulle, a general practitioner based in Australia, said Mpilo and Parirenyatwa hospitals may need further investigation into why their mortality rates are relatively higher. Said Dr Bulle:
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The rich have access to medical aid and can afford private health which is quite expensive while the poor do not.
The rich and high ranking government officials can afford to travel to foreign lands to seek medical attention.
They travel to the US, UK, India, Singapore, Malaysia, China, South Africa and many such countries for their treatment while ordinary citizens die in squalor at Mpilo and Parirenyatwa Hospitals which are notorious for shortages of medicines as well as shortages of healthcare staff.
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Dr Bulle added that “many ordinary citizens actually never make it to these hospitals, dying instead in their homes because of lack of money and lack of ambulances.”
He said under the principles of universality, Zimbabweans should demand a public health system that is free and paid for by the state.
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Mpilo Central Hospital in Zimbabwe has the highest patient death rate, with 8.4% of patients dying from January to August 2024. Parirenyatwa Hospital is close behind with an 8% death rate. Sally Mugabe Hospital, despite more admissions, has a lower 7.4% death rate. United Bulawayo Hospital has a 5% death rate. Chitungwiza Hospital stands out with a low 4% death rate. Resources and management issues are contributing to Mpilo's crisis. Doctors are raising concerns about inequality in healthcare, with the wealthy seeking medical care abroad while ordinary citizens suffer at these hospitals.

Mpilo Central Hospital Faces Highest Mortality Rate In Zimbabwe

A report by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) has revealed that Zimbabwean men are dying more than women throughout all age groups.
The ZimStat report was based on the 2022 population and housing census.
It revealed that 120 070 deaths were recorded during the census with 53.6% of the dead being men and 46.4% being women.
The national sex ratio at birth was 103 males per 100 females.
According to ZimStat’s 2022 preliminary national census results, females constitute the majority of the population, numbering 7 889 421 or 52%, compared to the male population of 7 289 588 (48%).
ZimStat also established that life expectancy for females now stands at 68 years compared to male life expectancy which is 61.2 years. Reads the report:
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A total of 120 070 deaths were recorded during the census. Male deaths constituted 53.6% of the total deaths recorded during the census.
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Throughout all age groups, males had higher mortality rates compared to females.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200008829/more-men-dying-than-women-zimstat">NewsDay</a>, Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike women and children are prioritised in the provision of primary health care. He said:
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There is a particular focus in primary healthcare on women and children due to their vulnerability and the fact that their ill health affects the wider community.
Apart from the general inputs that all people need for health, women also need services to support safe reproductive health, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of infections such as HIV, child delivery and care, including nutrition during pregnancy.
The spread of health information, improvement of nutrition, safe living and community environments are key to disease prevention amongst men.
Prevention and management of common diseases also depends on early detection and treatment.
We are also aware that unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking cigarettes and alcohol abuse are a lot more prevalent in men compared to women.
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