Terrence Mawawa|United Democratic Alliance leader, Daniel Shumba has castigated Constantino Chiwenga’s stance on striking medical doctors adding the way the government is handling the issue is deplorable.
See Dr Shumba’s statement below:”The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) feels the government should be sensitive and concerned about the health system in Zimbabwe.
At the centre of this is Service Delivery and the maintenance of proper standards in this sector.
Facilities are so antiquated, or are non functional. The absence of adequate tools, testing equipment, and kit continues to compromise proper health delivery. The ratio of patient to doctor, and others caregivers is amazingly low in Zimbabwe.
Doctors, nurses, general hands and many others working in our health facilities, are sacrificing their livefor our national good. Insulting, demeaning, or threatening our Doctors does not cause them to suddenly afford life.
The challenge is the economy, failed systems, and the corruption that the Zanu PF government continues to incubate. Command Medicine does not work both in the short term or long term. You need urgent smart and knowledgeable interventions that deal with the broader issues which include but not limited to salaries, working conditions, and social drivers such as accommodation, and dignity.
Government’s attitude to the current health crisis is not only rotten, and unfortunate. You can not go around thinking you can enforce the coup everywhere.
These are instances where you must think through and dialogue, and come up with a shared understanding and expectations underpinned by mutual respect, while giving regard to the unwell patients nationwide.
It is clear that government is intellectually bankrupt, insensitive, and bullish about the use of the gun on it’s Doctors. It is actively participating in the looting and plundering of national resources through corrupt and fraudulent means. The Ministers and other elites go to foreign countries for their medical treatment that they could easily get in Zimbabwe, should they invest and truly commit to enjoin their instructive obligations.
It is the negation of the Bill of rights and other constitutional provisions that is at the centre of Zimbabwe’s problems. The judiciary also seems oblivious of the urgency to enforce the rule of law, constitutionalism.
The Right to healthcare, Labour rights, Freedom of profession, Freedom from forced or compulsory labour, Right to human dignity, and Right to life. These and other constitutional tenets are wantonly violated every day by the Zanu PF government.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) firmly supports and stands with the Doctors demands. Restore the dignity of our medical sector. We demand our rights, and take away the face of brutality. No to fear. Life cannot be rigged.