What is the way forward for health in Zimbabwe?

The future of health in Zimbabwe

“…In the 1990s and 2000s, many of Zimbabwe’s health professionals fled to neighboring sub-Saharan African countries and to the UK to seek better pay and higher living standards [6]. The Zimbabwean government’s response was a partnership with Cuba to deploy hundreds of Cuban physicians within the Zimbabwean health system, together with a series of measures, such as bonding newly trained health workers and improved training [3].…”

“…However, during his reign, Mugabe also undermined this health system through human rights abuses and economic mismanagement, among other actions. In order to maintain his grip on power, Mugabe incited horrific violence against members of the opposition, inflicting psychological and physical trauma on Zimbabweans [4–6]. His party harassed doctors and nurses who cared for the victims [6].…”

“…In order to maintain his grip on power, Mugabe incited horrific violence against members of the opposition, inflicting psychological and physical trauma on Zimbabweans [4–6]. His party harassed doctors and nurses who cared for the victims [6]. The former president further politicized health by denying the existence of a severe cholera epidemic in 2008, despite the death of 4000 people [7–9].…”

“…The Ministry of Health could no longer afford to pay its health workers. In 2008, government physicians earned less than US$1 per month [6]. Abysmal working conditions drove 20% of these health professionals abroad each year [6].…”

“…In 2008, government physicians earned less than US$1 per month [6]. Abysmal working conditions drove 20% of these health professionals abroad each year [6]. In the face of global health threats – notably HIV/AIDS, which struck Zimbabwe harder than nearly any other country – the health sector was left defenseless.…”