KEY POINTS
- Minister blames health crisis on rogue officials.
- Corruption and laziness plague Zimbabwe’s hospitals.
- Donor aid still props up the fragile health system.
Zimbabwe’s Youth Empowerment Minister, Tinoda Machakaire, has launched a scathing attack on what he describes as “lazy” and “rogue” public officials, blaming them for the collapse of the country’s health delivery system and broader governance failures.
His remarks came Tuesday during a handover of medical equipment at Chivhu General Hospital, where he publicly condemned a system riddled with inefficiency, corruption, and internal betrayal.
Minister blames health crisis on rogue officials
Machakaire accused certain health professionals of diverting medical supplies to privately owned pharmacies, some of which are suspiciously located right behind public hospitals.
“If you see a pharmacy behind a hospital, it’s likely that the owner works at the nearest hospital,” he said. “I’ll bring this to the president’s attention.”
Lazy officials derailing public health reforms
The minister also lamented the poor work ethic within government circles, contrasting it with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s reportedly tireless efforts.
“The President works late into the night and wakes early. Yet we sleep early and wake up late, like we’re the ones who fought for independence,” he said.
He accused certain appointees of undermining the President’s efforts, calling them “bad people who think of themselves first.”
Calls grow for urgent healthcare overhaul
His comments echo growing public frustration over Zimbabwe’s underfunded and collapsing health system, where shortages of medicine and equipment are common.
The Community Working Group on Health director Itai Rusike backed Machakaire, saying corruption has crippled service delivery.
“Medical staff divert drugs, skip shifts for private practice, and worsen delays in care,” Rusike said, warning that universal health coverage goals would be missed unless urgent reforms are implemented.
Donor funding remains a lifeline for the sector, with $95.8 million received in the first half of 2025. However, experts warn the system is unsustainable without stronger internal governance and accountability.
