adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO has been hit by a serious shortage of specialist doctors, with only one surgeon catering for the whole province, Chronicle has learnt.The state of affairs is part of a bigger national problem as reflected by reports that the country has only one pathologist.
Masvingo Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Robert Mudyiradima confirmed to Chronicle the critical shortage of specialist doctors in the province.
He said one of the possible reasons why specialist doctors are reluctant to work outside Harare is the issue of poor conditions of service.
“Yes we have a challenge but even Bulawayo has a small number of specialist doctors. The problem could be attributed to the distribution of medical staff in the country. A number of specialist doctors are concentrated in Harare and that is not fair,” said Dr Mudyiradima.
“We have one surgeon at Masvingo General Hospital responsible for the whole province. The load he has is too much and under such circumstances, he will be overwhelmed. We have one eye specialist and one gynaecologist.”
The PMD however, said the health delivery system in the province has generally improved, given the recruitment of more nurses.
“We were given a go ahead to recruit 150 nurses throughout the whole province. We took 40 with the maternity ward (at Masvingo General Hospital) getting first priority. The situation has remarkably improved and that can be attributed to the recruitment done by government,” he said.
At the height of economic meltdown in 2008, a number of medical specialists comprising paediatricians, pathologists, opticians, gynaecologists, obstetricians among others left the country in search of greener pastures.
A number of residents who spoke to Chronicle yesterday said they have resorted to sending patients to Harare for conditions requiring specialist attention.
Enjura Sozinyu of Rhodene whose child has serious heart complications said she was referred to Harare for specialist attention after failing to get help from the provincial referral hospital.
“I was told my child’s problem is unique and needs a physician. There is no physician in the province but only in Harare. As if that is not enough I was told to raise at least $2,000 so that my son can be attended to,” she said.
Sozinyu appealed to the authorities to address the problem.
Talkmore Muchineripi who has a kidney problem said doctors at Masvingo General Hospital referred him to Harare where he is supposed to be checked by specialist doctors.
Online Reporter