Damage Mugabe Did To Zimbabwe's Health Becomes Clear

by Mike Smith · 2009-10-12 17:53:00 UTC
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Zimbabwe's health system used to be something for the nation to be proud of, one of the best in Africa. But as President Mugabe loosens his grip and Prime Minister Tsvangirai works to rebuild, the damage that authoritarian rule has done to the country is becoming frighteningly clear. As the health system collapsed, life expectancy fell to 43 years, and maternal mortality quadrupled between 1990 and 2007. Fewer children were receiving vaccines, and gross national income fell as food prices rose.

The Lancet further reports that Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak was much worse than the World Health Organization's worst-case scenario, effecting 100,000 and causing 4,200 fatalities. Quite simply: "A susceptible population paired with the ubiquitous failure of the Mugabe government to provide clean water made Zimbabwe a modern-day cholera frenzy." The Lancet explain that the most immediate need now is for obstetrics (child birth), and persuading expatriate doctors to return. But of course, a reconciliation process to ensure political violence never happens again is also important — and happening — to ensure someone like Mugabe can never again leave the nation in such a critical condition.

Photo credit: Spunter

Mike Smith
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