Health in Zimbabwe
Open-knowledge reference entry
Zimbabwe was once a model functional healthcare system in post colonial Africa, boasting a strong primary healthcare system and skilled healthcare workers under the controversial colonial administration. However, since the 1990s, its quality has decreased. In 2008, Zimbabwe had a 76.9 billion percent inflation rate and this worsened the state of the healthcare system which has not recovered today and is relying mostly on donor funding to keep running.
Health status
The top three health threats facing Zimbabweans are HIV, TB and malaria, all of which are highly preventable. These diseases contribute effectively to maternal and childhood death, with a maternal mortality rate of 365 per 100,000 according to the latest census report. Declining economic conditions have led to the fall of one of Africa's most robust healthcare systems with underpaid skilled doctors fleeing to other countries and hospitals being under equipped even with the basic PPE. In 2019, more than 40% of the total number of deaths were attributed to HIV, lower respiratory infection, TB and malaria.
Life expectancy
According to Our World in Data, Zimbabwe's life expectancy at birth is estimated to be 62.8 years as of 2023, with 60 years for males and 65 years for females.
Malaria
Malaria is a major health problem in Zimbabwe with about half the population at risk. Malaria epidemiology varies across the country ranging from year-round transmission in lowland areas to epidemic-prone areas in highland areas. Transmission is seasonal, occurring primarily between November and April, correlating closely with rainfall.
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