Zimbabwe’s New Mothers Confront Extortion for Essential Child Health Cards
In Zimbabwe, new mothers struggle to obtain essential Child Health Cards due to a shortage and resulting black-market sales. Many are forced to pay bribes for these cards, impacting their ability to track their child’s health. The situation is exacerbated by reintroduced maternity fees and systemic corruption within the healthcare system, leaving mothers to navigate these challenges amidst economic pressures.
In Zimbabwe, new mothers are facing significant challenges in obtaining Child Health Cards, which are essential for tracking their infants’ growth and vaccination history. First-time mother Connie Jowa, among many others, found that these cards were unavailable at public hospitals and clinics, often requiring underground transactions for acquisition. This situation has led to the rise of a shadow market where clinic staff exploit desperate mothers by selling these cards, usually intended to be free.
Child Health Cards, vital for monitoring a child’s medical history, have reportedly gone into shortage amid the claims of their producers that they are meeting demand. This discrepancy has fueled illicit sales where some clinic workers earn substantial amounts of money from the trade, despite the cards being officially free. According to Simbarashe James Tafirenyika of the Zimbabwe Municipality’s Nurses and Allied Workers Union, hospital staff are involved in this illicit trade, highlighting severe corruption within the health care system.
Many mothers are now forced to keep track of their infants’ medical records informally on scraps, as they struggle to obtain the cards. Florence Chonzi, the City of Harare’s health director, acknowledged that erratic supplies of the cards have led to an exploitation of the system, suggesting that clinic workers might be profiting from the shortage. The situation is exacerbated by the recent reintroduction of maternity fees in public hospitals, which poses additional financial burdens on women, complicating their access to necessary health services.
Economic instability and high inflation have heightened levels of corruption within the health care system, as many health workers reportedly solicit bribes. A Transparency International Zimbabwe study indicated that a significant percentage of people had encountered bribery while seeking medical attention. The study suggests that economic pressures drive health professionals to seek extra income through these illicit practices, revealing chronic issues within Zimbabwe’s healthcare framework.
The return of user fees has sparked concern among community activists who advocate for free maternal healthcare, emphasizing that it constitutes a public service essential for national growth. Meanwhile, mothers like Valerie Shangwa express frustration at the challenges posed by the absence of official records, leading to inaccuracies in tracking their children’s health progress.
However, despite claims of shortages, some suppliers of Child Health Cards maintain that they have adequate stock, understanding that systemic failures lead to inefficiencies across health facilities. In light of these issues, the Ministry of Health cited supply chain inefficiencies as a reason for the card shortages, stressing the need for improved resource mobilization. As many mothers continue to navigate this difficult landscape, they are paying a steep price for access to essential health documentation for their children.
The challenges faced by new mothers in acquiring Child Health Cards in Zimbabwe reflect a larger systemic issue within the healthcare system characterized by corruption, inefficiency, and economic strain. The emergence of a shadow market for these essential documents underscores the vulnerabilities faced by the most disadvantaged populations, who are forced to navigate a broken system. As healthcare costs rise with the reintroduction of maternity fees, advocacy for free maternal health services remains essential to ensure the wellbeing of mothers and their children in Zimbabwe.
Original Source: globalpressjournal.com
