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Zimbabwe hospitals hit by economic crunch, elective surgeries suspended

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Zimbabwe hospitals hit by economic crunch, elective surgeries suspended

Shortage of medical supplies caused by seething economic crunch has forced one of Zimbabwe’s largest and oldest hospitals in the capital of Harare, to stop elective surgeries for the time being.

According to medical staff at the Harare Central hospital, services have been scaled back for the time being and only life-threatening and maternity cases will be entertained.

“The economic situation is not good at the moment, starting from what we get from treasury,” Peggy Zvavamwe, hospital CEO, told Al Jazeera.

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“We cater for that part of the population who rarely can pay for their own medication.

“You find our funds are dwindling, we try to stretch it as far as possible.” She added.

But the poor, who are in majority, say they have no choice but to use the neglected public health facilities.

“I think the service is poor,” one patient said. “I was assaulted last week and they removed my tooth, but I have not been given medication.”

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