“We are insulted by prison officers,” said a prisoner who had recently given birth at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare.
Gezi said most pregnant convicts taken to public hospitals complained that nurses harassed them.
“Most pregnant prisoners are taken to the public institution when they are due. Reports show that they are neglected and ill-treated by nurses. We have raised the issue with the relevant authorities but nothing has been done,” said Gezi.
He added that bringing the prisoners to hospital in handcuffs was discriminatory.
“They are stigmatised and the new-born child is made to suffer for a crime she or he did not commit,” he added.
The former Minister of Health and Child Welfare who is now Parliamentary Committee Chair on Health, David Parirenyatwa, said research they carried out revealed that abuse was rampant against pregnant women.
“There should be a monitoring and evaluation exercise to ensure that we get the right nurses for the job. which,” he said.
Post published in: News