By Fanuel Chinowaita
HARARE – The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Sleiman Timios Kwidini, has admitted that most hospitals are struggling to provide essential drugs for pregnant women undergoing Caesarean section deliveries due to inadequate budget allocations.
Responding to a question from Chikanga legislator Hon. Lynnet Karenyi during a parliamentary session this week, Kwidini said the shortage of drugs has forced hospitals to ask some patients to buy medication, despite Government policy that maternity services should be free.
“Indeed, a lot of patients who undergo a Caesarean section or go to the theatre will be emergency cases. Those in labour should be given free medication,” said Kwidini. “Due to the inadequacy of our budget, we end up requesting someone to buy these drugs so that we do not lose the life of a child.”
He explained that maternity care in public health institutions is supposed to be free as part of Government’s efforts to promote population growth and ensure safe deliveries. However, financial constraints have made it difficult to maintain consistent drug supplies.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Ministry received ZWL$3.6 billion in the current budget for curative medical supplies and services but only ZWL$1.7 billion was disbursed. “It buys very little as we get towards the end of the year,” he said.
Kwidini added that the Government is doing its best to ensure access to affordable healthcare and that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is prioritising improvements in the health sector.
Hon. Karenyi had raised concern that many expectant mothers were being turned away or told to purchase drugs needed for safe delivery, putting their lives and those of their babies at risk.