Dr. Paul Thistle was understood to be en route back to Canada on Monday after being handed the deadline last week Friday, a day after 12 Chiweshe residents were arrested during a demonstration at the hospital. Protesters turned over a car and forced a Salvation Army delegation to seek refuge in the hospital. Police were then deployed to break up the demonstration and fired tear gas into the crowd
The community has been up in arms over Dr. Thistle’s dismissal, which has been linked to a falling out with Salvation Army officials over funding and supplies meant for the Howard mission. The doctor, who has been in Zimbabwe for 16 years, is said to have raised concerns that money and supplies sent to the Salvation Army headquarters never arrived in Chiweshe.
There is also speculation that his dismissal is linked to ZANU PF infighting, with Vice President Joice Mujuru wielding significant influence as a senior Salvation Army captain. It’s believed she is using this influence to exert control of the hospital, which is the centre of a community that is said to be loyal to her rival Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Whatever the reason, the situation has left the Howard Mission without a doctor and the facility is now running a seriously reduced service. Serious cases have been transferred to other hospitals, while many patients have been discharged without receiving proper care.
SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa reported Monday that Salvation Army officials returned to the Howard mission over the weekend and “bulldozed their way in” to give Dr. Thistle his ultimatum. Muchemwa spent Monday trying to get answers from the Salvation Army headquarters in Harare, but he said he and fellow journalists were “shut out.”
“They wouldn’t tell us anything. They were not willing to comment. I think this is an indication that things aren’t right with this case,” Muchemwa said.
Email correspondence seen by SW Radio Africa from the Salvation Army mission in Canada confirmed that Dr. Thistle and his family were expected back in that country soon. The email said the “primary responsibility for Howard Hospital remains with the Salvation Army leadership in Zimbabwe in consultation with International Headquarters.”
“Canada looks forward to welcoming the Thistle family home and will work to ensure their further development as Salvation Army officers,” the email said adding that “the International Headquarters of The Salvation Army in London, England are working with the new Chief Medical officer in their preparation and will be announcing the appointment of the Chief Medical Officer of Howard Hospital in due course.”
Neither the Salvation Army mission in Zimbabwe or the UK responded to email queries about Dr. Thistle’s dismissal.
–SW Radio Africa News
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