Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Tinoda Machakaire, has issued a rare and candid appeal to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, urging him to personally visit public health institutions amid growing concerns over the state of the country’s healthcare system.
In a heartfelt statement released on Monday, 05 May 2025, the minister described a recent visit to a state-run hospital where he had gone to see a relative. What he witnessed, he said, left him “deeply concerned” and emotionally moved. He wrote on X:
The growing public outcry over our healthcare system is not an exaggeration; it reflects the difficult experiences of many citizens.
Sometimes, in our desire to present progress, we may unintentionally overlook important realities on the ground.
The statement marks one of the most direct acknowledgements from within President Mnangagwa’s cabinet regarding the dire condition of public hospitals, which have long suffered from underfunding, shortages of basic supplies, and staff walkouts.
Addressing the president directly, Machakaire acknowledged Mnangagwa’s reputation for “compassion and dedication” but insisted that a first-hand inspection of the facilities would provide critical insight. He said:
Your Excellency… I respectfully plead with you: please find time from your busy schedule to visit these institutions yourself.
There is no substitute for seeing, listening and understanding firsthand what our citizens are going through.
Machakaire also praised citizens and activists who have spoken out about the country’s crumbling health infrastructure, saying their efforts reflect a belief in responsive, people-first governance.
The minister’s unusually forthright remarks have sparked widespread attention, as many Zimbabweans continue to face drug shortages and inadequate care in public hospitals.
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