ZimOnline

The International Federation of Health and Human Rights Organisations (IFHHRO), a worldwide body focusing on health-related human rights issues, said the combined effects of the economic crisis and compromised infrastructure express themselves throughout a health system that was once a model for southern Africa.

It said the eight-year economic crisis has hastened the deterioration of key infrastructure needed for economic activity and public health such as adequate power and water supplies.  

“Although no data is currently available, the risk of increase of diarrhoeal diseases, and even cholera, is evident as individuals dig shallow wells and are also forced to defecate outside when there is no water,”  IFHHRO said on Tuesday this week.

Bulawayo, with more than one million residents, is facing a serious water crisis after three of its five supply dams were decommissioned due to low water levels, resulting in some suburbs going for up to three weeks without water.

Residents have resorted to using water from unprotected sources or buying water in order to beat the shortages.

The IFHHRO said rolling power blackouts were having a telling effect on the health sector.

“IFHHRO learned, for example that the blood bank in Harare had to destroy its entire supply of blood when power outages prevented refrigeration of blood,” said the body that draws its membership from doctors, nurses and other professionals.

The IFHHRO saluted the dedication to service of Zimbabwe health professionals under difficult economic conditions.

“But that dedication and courage is no substitute for action by the government of Zimbabwe to comply with its obligations under human rights principles and law,” it said.

The public health sector that caters for the majority of Zimbabweans has been rocked by strikes as state doctors and other health professionals regularly down tools to demand more pay and better working conditions to cushion them from the country’s world record inflation estimated at more than 14 000 percent.

The government admits health workers deserve more money but says it does not have enough in its coffers to bankroll the usually high salary hikes demanded. - ZimOnline

---

Share This Story On:

Average user rating