OPINION
CHANTELLE BONGUBUKHOSI NCUBE.
Zimbabwe’s ambitions for Smart Cities face significant hurdles as its medical system struggles to meet the basic healthcare needs for its population. Without addressing this critical issue, the dream for modern, technologically advanced urban centers remains a pipe dream.
Zimbabwe’s medical system is in a state of crisis, plagued by inadequate infrastructure, shortages of essential medical supplies, and a severe shortage of healthcare professionals.
History has it that post independence, Zimbabwe’s medical infrastructure and facilities were an envy of the Region. Well paid nurses and doctors manned the country’s health facilities with efficiency as every needed nitty gritty was found in place.
It was an esteem held high to be a nurse or doctor in Zimbabwe.
Forty years down memory lane, the Zimbabwe’s hospitals both urban and rural have become a shadow of their previous glory. Zimbabweans have become a laughing stock, especially in South Africa, were headlines have been pronounced as the need for better medical facilities emerge.
In August of 2022 a South Africa Health Minister, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba sparked controversy as she was caught on camera shouting at a Zimbabwean patient who had gone to the country for specialized medical treatment.
South Africa, in some areas has far better medical institutions.
What is the concept of a smart city?
The smart city concept integrates information and communication technology (ICT), and various physical devices connected to the Internet Of Things (IOT) network to optimize the efficiency of city operations and services and connect to citizens.
Is this possible in the current Zimbabwe?
A smart city for healthcare must prioritize the establishment of an efficient emergency response system, comprising ambulance services and well-trained emergency medical technicians, to ensure timely assistance to patients in need. By swiftly attending to medical emergencies, the smart city can enhance the chances of positive health outcomes and reinforce the safety and well-being of its residents.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Zimbabwe has only 1.7 doctors per 10,000 people, far below the WHO recommendation of at least 23 doctors per 10,000 people.
Many healthcare facilities in Zimbabwe lack basic infrastructure, including reliable electricity, clean water, and sanitation facilities. This compromises the quality of healthcare services and poses significant risks to patient safety.
Shortages of essential medical supplies, including medications, diagnostic equipment, and protective gear, are widespread across the country. This makes it difficult for healthcare providers to deliver adequate care to patients, let alone connect the health care facilities to the IOT.
As such, a Smart Health Care system can never work with the status quo in Bulawayo and or the whole country.
In a developing country, a smart city for healthcare should prioritize well-equipped hospitals and clinics with the latest medical technology, advanced diagnostic equipment, and a skilled workforce of healthcare professionals. By ensuring access to cutting-edge medical resources and expert care, the smart city can significantly improve the quality and efficacy of healthcare services, catering to the diverse healthcare needs of its population and enhancing overall health outcomes.
Zimbabwe faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and specialists. Many healthcare workers have left the country in search of better opportunities abroad, exacerbating the staffing crisis.
The development of a smart city requires a robust and efficient healthcare system to support the needs of its residents. For this to be attained, there must be efficient
Without access to quality healthcare services, residents may suffer from preventable illnesses and diseases, leading to decreased productivity and increased healthcare costs as is happening now.
The lack of employment has greatly compounded the redundancy of most youths who have turned to drugs for solace.
The leader of Ingutsheni Psychiatrist Hospital bemaoned the fact that the medical institution if overflowing with youths who have become zombies because of drug addiction.
To exercerbate the problems of overpopulation of patients in Engutsheni Hospital, the facilities are understaffed and inadequately equipped.
Furthermore, a healthy population is essential for economic growth and social development. Without adequate healthcare, the productivity and well-being of the workforce are compromised, hindering the overall progress of a Smart City initiative.
In Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, hospitals such as Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Harare Central Hospital struggle to cope with the influx of patients amidst limited resources and staffing. Patients often endure long waits for treatment, and critical shortages of essential medications are a common occurrence.
In rural areas such as Murehwa, access to even basic healthcare services is a luxury for many residents. Under-resourced clinics and remote healthcare outposts struggle to meet the needs of communities, leaving vulnerable populations at risk of untreated illnesses and preventable deaths.
In conclusion, the state of Zimbabwe’s medical system presents a significant barrier to the development of a smart city. Addressing the challenges facing the healthcare sector is essential to laying the foundation for sustainable urban development. Without urgent action to improve the medical system, Zimbabwe’s aspirations for a modern, technologically advanced Cities will ever remain elusive.
Chantelle Bongubukhosi Ncube, is a Media Student @ Zimbabwe Open University (_ZOU), writing in her own capacity an opinion on the state of affairs of Zimbabwe’s Health Facilities.
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