By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutare – 9 October 2025 – There is growing public outrage after a picture circulated on WhatsApp showing women who had given birth sitting on mattresses on the floor at Sakubva District Hospital in Mutare, highlighting a severe shortage of hospital beds.
Residents who spoke to The Wasu Post on condition of anonymity said the hospital is struggling to accommodate the increasing number of expectant mothers.
One woman said pregnant patients are sometimes forced to sleep on the floor while waiting to deliver.
“There are times when all the beds are occupied, and pregnant women sleep on the ground. Some can wait for up to a week before being attended to,” said one resident.
The viral picture, which has triggered anger among community members, shows women who had already given birth sitting on the floor on thin mattresses.
There are also allegations that some pregnant women are being sent for Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries unnecessarily. One woman who underwent a C-section said the conditions at the hospital were deplorable.
“Even after surgery, you are expected to walk a distance to the bathroom and toilet, climbing stairs while in pain. The inside toilet that is convenient for us is reserved for staff,” she said, adding that the blankets provided are dirty and very old.
A visit by The Wasu Post confirmed that some hospital beds are worn out and in poor condition.
Responding to the concerns, Mutare District Medical Officer Dr. David Muchirevesi admitted that the hospital recently faced a temporary shortage of beds due to an unexpected surge in patients.
“There was a moment last week when the number of patients exceeded available beds, and we could not turn away mothers in labour. The extra patients were temporarily placed on floor beds as we worked to mobilise more beds and create space,” said Dr. Muchirevesi.
He dismissed claims that women are being subjected to unnecessary C-sections, saying all surgical deliveries are done according to established medical protocols.
Dr. Muchirevesi said the hospital is taking measures to address the space challenge. “An office space has already been converted into a ward accommodating six additional beds. The long-term plan is to construct a new district hospital — land has already been identified, and proposals have been submitted to the Ministry for consideration,” he explained.
He further revealed that Sakubva District Hospital handles around 120 deliveries per week, with 45 being C-sections, making it difficult to manage within the current bed capacity.
“The hospital serves as a referral centre for both urban and rural clinics, which puts immense pressure on our facilities,” he added.
Dr. Muchirevesi assured the public that no woman is turned away or made to wait unnecessarily for delivery. “When the hospital is full, we have contingency plans to use St. Joseph Mission Hospital,” he said.
Despite these assurances, public concern remains high, with many residents urging the Ministry of Health and Child Care to urgently address conditions at the district hospital.