Harare Correspondent<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHITUNGWIZA, Zimbabwe \u2013 An undercover investigation has exposed a rampant culture of corruption at public hospitals where midwives and nurses are demanding bribes of up to US$25 from pregnant women for basic services that are officially free, directly endangering maternal health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The investigation, focused on Chitungwiza Central Hospital, found that expectant mothers are routinely forced to make informal payments for essential services like pregnancy registration, a critical step to secure a place to give birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scene at the hospital’s antenatal care (ANC) section is one of desperation. Women gather as early as 7am, hoping to be registered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among them was Fortunate Chingwara, 39 weeks pregnant with her third child. Unemployed and struggling financially, she relied on the hospital’s promised free care to avoid a US$35 fee at her local clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a nurse announced they would only accept registrations for women with specific conditions\u2014like previous C-sections or being over 38\u2014Chingwara, who did not qualify, was devastated. Later, after being told the registration books were “finished,” she approached a lead nurse to plead her case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe nurse says she can help her if she pays US$15 or US$20, but Chingwara does not have this amount, she walks away without getting her pregnancy registered,\u201d the investigation found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This practice is not isolated. A 2021 survey by Transparency International Zimbabwe found that 74% of respondents reported being asked for bribes when accessing healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Analysts say this creates a hidden financial barrier that worsens Zimbabwe\u2019s high maternal mortality rate, estimated at 365 deaths per 100,000 live births.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A nurse at the hospital, Memory Zhou*, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, confirmed the corrupt system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnnouncing that books are finished is a strategy they use to try and coerce women to pay for a service they should get for free because of desperation,\u201d Zhou said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She attributed the corruption to poor salaries and lack of motivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, hospital administration claims to be unaware of the issue. Raphael Makota, the chief medical officer at Chitungwiza Hospital, said they had not received any formal complaints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe take such allegations very seriously. If such concerns have arisen internally, investigations will be promptly launched,\u201d Makota said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that the hospital receives an average of 50 registration books per week and has a flexible system to scale up when demand increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women\u2019s rights advocate and former nurse, Edna Masiiwa, slammed the decline in care, stating that policy does not match reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know policy says maternal health is free in Zimbabwe, but free is not free,\u201d Masiiwa said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe government should resource the health sector; people are being corrupt because the health sector is not well-resourced.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This crisis reflects a broader problem across Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A study across eight African nations found over 30% of respondents paid bribes for healthcare, with the poorest most impacted. In Sierra Leone, 84% of respondents under a “free” maternal care program admitted to paying bribes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The corrupt practices effectively erect a hidden \u201ccost barrier\u201d that prevents the most vulnerable from accessing essential, life-saving care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Memory Zhou*, Not Her Real Name)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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