By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Harare, Zimbabwe — President Emmerson Mnangagwa discreetly abandoned his usual presidential motorcade for a private, unannounced visit to two major public hospitals, Parirenyatwa and Sally Mugabe, to personally assess the state of Zimbabwe’s healthcare facilities.
The visit came after growing calls from various sectors, including Minister Machakaire, urging the President to see firsthand the challenges faced by Zimbabweans seeking medical help. The move was intended to allow the President to observe the conditions without prior notice, avoiding the usual formalities and publicity.
According to Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, Mnangagwa chose a private motorcade that behaved like any other motorist on busy roads. This approach was deliberate, aimed at bypassing bureaucracy and gaining an authentic view of the ground realities.
Charamba stated that the President was able to visit wards, interact with patients and medical staff, and see the hospitals’ conditions without the usual protocol constraints.
“This was about seeing the real situation on the ground, not a curated image,” Charamba said.
Photos shared by Charamba showed stark realities at both hospitals. At Parirenyatwa, concerns were raised over the lack of curtains and heating systems in the maternity ward. The absence of curtains exposed mothers during delivery and postnatal care, raising privacy and dignity issues. Wing windows were bare, and heating in the highly sensitive ward was reportedly non-functional, raising fears about the health and safety of both mothers and babies.
At Sally Mugabe Hospital, some mothers with sick children were seen sleeping on benches while waiting for medical attention. Despite the difficult conditions, the President praised hospital staff and patients for their resilience. He engaged with personnel, asking what could be done to improve standards and ensure better care for patients.
While the visit was a surprise, it has sparked discussions across the country on the state of public healthcare. Many Zimbabweans have expressed concern over the deteriorating conditions of government hospitals, which are often overwhelmed and underfunded.
The government has yet to release detailed plans following the President’s visit, but the move has been widely seen as an attempt to connect with ordinary citizens and address long-standing grievances regarding health services.