Motivation Behind the Petition for Public Healthcare in Zimbabwe – Linda Tsungirirai Masarira

The motivation behind this petition stems from the painful reality that more than 60% of Zimbabweans are dying prematurely due to lack of access to basic healthcare. Our current system is unaffordable, understaffed, and under-resourced, pushing millions especially the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, women, children, and persons with disabilities to suffer in silence or turn to unsafe alternatives.

This petition is a call to action demanding that the Government of Zimbabwe make basic healthcare free and accessible for all, and urgently introduce universal free treatment for chronic and cancer patients, as well as emergency care for accident and GBV survivors. We believe that access to healthcare is a human right, not a privilege reserved for the wealthy or connected.

Every well-meaning Zimbabwean should sign this petition to stand in solidarity with the most vulnerable among us. It’s a collective push for a dignified, humane, and inclusive healthcare system that truly serves the people. If we don’t speak up now, we risk losing more lives to preventable causes.

We, the citizens of Zimbabwe, urgently call upon His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to use his presidential powers to fix Zimbabwe’s collapsing healthcare system.

Millions of Zimbabweans are suffering and dying because of unaffordable healthcare, chronic shortages of medicines, unethical conduct by health workers, and deteriorating public hospitals. Over 90% of citizens survive through the informal sector and cannot afford private health insurance.

We demand the following immediate actions;

▪︎ Declare a State of Emergency in the health sector.

▪︎ Ensure free treatment and medication for chronic disease patients through a Presidential Decree.

▪︎ Fully rehabilitate and equip public hospitals nationwide.

▪︎ Review healthcare workers' salaries and introduce performance appraisals.

▪︎ Establish a Commission of Enquiry into shortages and unethical practices.

▪︎ Fund a State Oncology Centre for cancer patients.

▪︎ Strengthen maternal healthcare services to reduce preventable deaths.

▪︎ Enforce ethical conduct and accountability in all public health institutions.

Access to healthcare is a constitutional right not a privilege for the elite!

We are calling on His Excellency to act NOW to save lives, restore dignity, and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Sign and share this petition today. Together, we can demand the healthcare we deserve!