Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has made it clear that the Zimbabwean government will not finance medical treatment for citizens seeking healthcare in South Africa, citing limited resources and the urgent need to revive Zimbabwe’s public health system.
Speaking during a recent parliamentary session, Ziyambi emphasized that unless there is a surplus in national resources, it is not the government’s responsibility to sponsor medical expenses abroad.
His comments follow growing reports of Zimbabwean migrants facing discrimination and administrative hurdles in accessing healthcare in South Africa. Several health facilities there have come under scrutiny for allegedly denying treatment to foreign nationals, sparking regional concern over xenophobia and healthcare inequality.
Ziyambi’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions across the country.
Critics argue that the government is failing its citizens, many of whom are forced to seek treatment abroad due to the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe’s public health sector, marked by:
Shortages of essential drugs and equipment
Outdated and poorly maintained facilities
A severe brain drain of medical professionals
Recurrent strikes over salaries and working conditions
