According to the National Health Strategy 2010-2013 report, released by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, many hospitals in Zimbabwe are relying on outdated equipment and most do not have TB testing equipment.
Medical equipment critical for diagnosis and treatment is old, obsolete and non-functional. The majority of the physical health infrastructure is in a state of very serious disrepair. Fixed plant and equipment such as laundry machines, kitchen
equipment and boilers are also non-functional, says the report. As a result, very few public institutions are able to meet basic hospital standards for patient care and control measures.
So dire is the situation that at major referral hospitals such as Chitungwiza and Parirenyatwa only a few people are able to get radiology and X-rays.
The situation is even worse for district hospitals that dont have equipment at all. Patients are either sent back home or referred to bigger hospitals that are then overwhelmed by demand.
In the wake of the devastating HIV/AIDS scourge, most hospitals in the country are yet to acquire the all important CD 4 count machines, which help in determining the stage of infection.
At Chitungwiza hospital, pregnant women needing scans are referred to South Medical Centre, an expensive, private hospital. Many women go without scans rather because they cant afford to pay.
According to UNICEF, every day at least eight women die while giving birth because of difficulties in getting medical care.
The sorry state in the public hospitals has led the government to appeal for $700m to improve hospitals.
Post published in: News