The Ministry of Health and Child Care has issued a firm response to recent waves of criticism circulating on social media, describing the remarks as “mischievous” and “selective” in their portrayal of Zimbabwe’s public healthcare sector. In a statement released this week, the Ministry acknowledged ongoing challenges but strongly condemned what it termed orchestrated attempts to undermine the progress made under difficult conditions.
The Ministry said it welcomed constructive engagement and affirmed the public’s right to voice concerns. However, it warned against misinformation and one-sided narratives that risk demoralising frontline healthcare workers and distorting the broader national context. “We strongly reject narratives that unfairly undermine the tireless efforts of our healthcare professionals,” the statement read, calling for discourse based on verified facts and national interest.
Highlighting tangible progress, the Ministry pointed to major infrastructure upgrades across provincial and district hospitals, improved medical equipment availability, and enhanced training for healthcare personnel. Notable achievements such as successful open-heart surgeries at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and the integration of telemedicine in rural Gokwe North were cited as examples of the sector’s innovation and growth. These strides, it said, were achieved under the guidance of President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and the Second Republic, which has made healthcare a central pillar of its development agenda.
Particularly praised were the improvements in maternal and child health outcomes, which have been buoyed by investments in hospital deliveries and community-based health services. The Ministry said these efforts reflect a deliberate focus on strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
Calling for unity, the Ministry urged all stakeholders, including public officials, civil society, the private sector, and development partners, to move away from confrontation and instead foster collaborative efforts to resolve systemic issues. “Collaboration, not confrontation, is the path to sustainable progress,” it emphasised.
In reaffirming its commitment to building a resilient and equitable healthcare system, the Ministry maintained that the sector remains on a transformative trajectory, and that Zimbabweans, through shared responsibility and mutual respect, will overcome the challenges ahead.
