“Senior doctors at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals yesterday narrated to the minister of Health Obadiah Moyo, of the horrors and deaths occurring everyday at major hospitals because of acute shortages of drugs and hospital consumables,” reported Bulawayo 24.
“The medical practitioners yesterday embarked on a public protest demanding government's speedy intervention citing that the situation has forced them to scale down their services except for dire emergencies only. Moyo met the doctors at Parirenyatwa during their protest.
“Raising concern on behalf of the distraught doctors Azza Mashumba, a paediatrician, wept before Moyo as she narrated how several patients had lost lives due to the lethargy from authorities in dealing with the situation. "We are coming to certify dead bodies…," she said.
What is sickening about this story is:
1. that Dr Mashumba has allowed the situation to get this bad that patients and suffering and dying needlessly
2. that Dr Mashumba should feel so helpless that her only course of action was to cry.
3. Zimbabwe’s economic collapse and that of its health services and other basic service did not take place over night as a result of an earthquake or some such catastrophic event; it has happen over the last 38 years. 38 years of corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical rule by this Zanu PF dictatorship has dragged this once upon a time prosperous nation into the gutter.
4. If Parirenyatwa Hospital, a referral hospital, does not have painkillers and other basic necessities; what worse the provincial hospital and worst of all the district hospitals in the rural backwaters.
5. For decades the donors have supplied the bulk of Zimbabwe’s medicine, education, food aid, etc.; they must be sick and tired, especially when they see Zimbabwe ruling elite galavanting in hired luxury jets, living in palatial mansions, etc.
6. It is disheartening that Dr Mashumba, just like all the other Zimbabwean professionals, has never lifted a finger in 38 years to stop Zanu PF thugs dragging the nation into the gutter.
7. Mnangagwa rigged last year’s elections and not many Zimbabwe professionals said a word in protest, it was all water off a duck’s back. Dr Mashumba you have done nothing to stop thugs imposing their corrupt and tyrannical rule on the nation. You got what you wanted so stop shedding those crocodile tears!
8. Dr Mashumba you and your fellow professionals can cry Zambezi River flood of tears, that will not change anything. If you are serious about wanting an end to this criminal waste of the nation’s material and human resources then you must demand that Zanu PF steps down so the nation can implement the reforms and finally have its first ever free, fair and credible elections!
9. When the country gained her independence in 1980 most Zimbabweans sat back and relaxed expecting a rich harvest of freedom, human rights, justice, peace and economic prosperity. For the last 38 years the nation has harvested brutal oppression, economic hardships and hopelessness and despair. Good governance comes to those willing to roll-up their shirt sleeves and work for it. It is incumbent on all Zimbabweans out there to make sure Zimbabwe has a democratic government accountable to the people.
10. The Zanu PF thugs are not going to give up absolute power, especially now the regime is well dug-in and has so much at stake - power, looted wealth and criminal past to hide. Still, these Zanu PF thugs are mere mortals; it is foolish to be grovelling up to them as if they are Gods! Tyrants thrive on making everyone else feel totally powerless and helpless. Dr Mashumba’s tears will not move Mnangagwa to give up absolute power, it will encourage him to be even more arrogant.
By Jeff Kurai Chakanyuka
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