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CHRA condemns state harassment of medical staff; expresses solidarity with doctors and nurses
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
November 20, 2008

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) expresses its utter disappointment over the insensitivity that was displayed by the state on the 18th of November 2008 when police cracked down on innocent nurses and doctors who were peacefully protesting against the collapse of the public health delivery system. Riot police, armed with teargas and button sticks descended on the disgruntled protesters and also barred some members of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights who were on their way to Beverley Court in the city centre to host a press conference.

The Zimbabwe public health delivery system has virtually collapsed. Most hospitals around the country have been operating below capacity due to the government's failure to invest in medical staff and to put in place sustainable medical staff retention programs. This has resulted in a crippling brain drain as the medical staff has sought (and still seek) opportunities outside the country. The state hospitals and clinics do not have enough protective clothing and disinfectants which exposes the medical staff to infectious diseases like cholera and tuberculosis. CHRA has received reports that Parirenyatwa Hospital is turning away patients because they cannot be attended to due to staff and drug shortages. Glen Norah and Mabvuku poly clinics have also closed down for the same reasons.

This situation is unfortunate considering the fact that the cholera outbreak that has hit Budiriro and other Harare suburbs demands a sound health system to control it. The health centres that have been mandated to attend to cholera patients, Budiriro Poly Clinic and Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital have been depending mainly on nurse aides. On Sunday the 16th of November, Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital only had the City's Director of Health, Stanley Mungofa as the only senior member of staff while the other nurse aides who were there had been imported from other health centres. The hospital is also said to be in short supply of disinfectants and protective clothing.

CHRA condemns state repression on medical staff as it only serves to aggravate an already bad situation. The attitude that is being displayed by the State is reflective of a government that is not at ease with the tenets of democracy, freedom of expression and good governance let alone save the lives of the innocent residents. The Association stands in solidarity with all medical practitioners who have suffered under the brunt of state mismanagement and we appreciate the tremendous efforts being made by the few remaining medical staff that is attending to the cholera victims around the city.

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