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ZADHR statement on World Health Day
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR)
April 07, 2008

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights calls to attention the state of the public health system. Zimbabwe's healthcare system, in a known state of crisis, is in need of urgent attention. It is crippled by dilapidated infrastructure, drug shortages, equipment breakdowns, brain drain and costs of healthcare skyrocketing beyond the reach of the majority of Zimbabweans.

Average life expectancy, according to the WHO, has declined from 60 years to 37 years for men and 34 for women during the past decade. Maternal mortality is rising to a level which meets that of the world poorest countries.

ZADHR commends health professionals and health workers in Zimbabwe who have continued to deliver health services in very difficult circumstances and remain committed to the recovery and improvement of the public health system.

ZADHR notes the need for a comprehensive national health plan to replace some of the uncoordinated ad hoc measures that have been put in place to address the crisis in the short term. Such a plan must guarantee that Zimbabwean's are able to enjoy their right to health. The responsibility for this lies with government in consultation with other stakeholders.

Marking World Health Day, ZADHR calls upon the newly elected Parliament of Zimbabwe, amidst a myriad of challenges ahead of it during its term in office, to prioritise policy interventions to address the public health crisis in Zimbabwe. In doing so ZADHR urges the new Parliament to attend to the following key areas:

• Formulating legislation that protects, respects and fulfils the right to health for all Zimbabweans
• Providing adequate infrastructure needed for effective and equitable healthcare such as safe running water, adequate sanitation, electricity and transport
• Taking measures to address shortages of drugs and medical equipment in the short, medium and long term
• Creating conditions under which good training quality for health professionals is guaranteed and ensure that conditions in which these skills can be retained exist

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