In Zimbabwe, a system failure has left many new mothers unable to obtain free Child Health Cards necessary for tracking their infants’ health. An underground market has developed due to a shortage of these cards, with clinic workers engaging in corrupt practices. The situation is worsened by revived maternity fees and a history of healthcare corruption, threatening the well-being of mothers and their children.
In Harare, Zimbabwe, many new mothers are experiencing challenges in obtaining necessary Child Health Cards, which are intended to be provided free of charge. Mothers like Connie Jowa are frequenting clinics in search of these vital documents. Despite the official stance that these cards should be readily available, they remain mysteriously out of stock, leading to an underground market where clinic personnel sell them for prices reaching US$5.
This situation reflects significant dysfunction within Zimbabwe’s health care system, which is further exacerbated by a resurgence of corruption and economic hardship. According to Simbarashe James Tafirenyika of the Zimbabwe Municipality’s Nurses and Allied Workers Union, there is a blatant practice among some staff who sell the cards for personal gain. Reports suggest that each sale can yield significant profits, which do not benefit the government.
Currently, many new mothers lack the vital Child Health Cards that track their infant’s vaccinations and medical history, forcing them to keep temporary records on scraps of paper. With over 3,000 births occurring monthly in council clinics, mothers are left vulnerable. Health workers acknowledge a shadow market, with bribery normalized under the euphemism of being “skillful” in obtaining the cards.
Prosper Chonzi, the City of Harare’s health director, has confessed to inconsistent supplies over recent months, suggesting that clinic staff may be exploiting the situation. The emergence of maternity fees at public hospitals, though not officially announced, signals further burdens on mothers still recovering from a previously free healthcare model.
The increased inflation and corruption are set against a backdrop of a once-successful scheme that delivered free maternity care from 2011 to 2024, substantially lowering maternal mortality rates. According to a Transparency International survey, a staggering 74% of respondents reported being asked for bribes within health services. With high inflation pressuring health workers, many resort to unethical practices to supplement low pay.
Activist Prudence Hanyani argues that the introduction of user fees will particularly penalize women already paying for necessary midwife services. Valerie Shangwa’s frustrations mount as she struggles with the absence of a health card for her newborn, further complicating her healthcare experience.
Despite claims from Print Flow, the official supplier of the Child Health Cards, noting that they face no shortages, there appears to be a disconnect with healthcare facilities failing to access the cards. The Ministry of Health acknowledged supply chain inefficiencies and inadequate funding as critical issues needing attention.
The ongoing struggles of mothers in Zimbabwe to obtain free Child Health Cards highlight systemic issues within the country’s healthcare infrastructure. Corruption, economic instability, and the reemergence of maternity fees have compounded the difficulties faced by new mothers, compromising their ability to access essential healthcare services for their children. Effective solutions must address these foundational problems to restore trust and improve maternal and child healthcare.
Original Source: www.thezimbabwean.co
