Source: Doctor Shortage Hits Police Force ⋆ Pindula News
ZRP Masvingo Province has been operating without a resident doctor for three years following the retirement of veteran medical practitioner Dr Godfrey Zimbwa.
The gap has forced the province to rely on doctors seconded from Manicaland or Midlands periodically, a situation that is affecting the smooth flow of operations, especially health records management.
Speaking to Midweek Watch, National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that there has been no resident doctor in Masvingo for the past three years, but said the situation was under control.
“Yes, there is no resident doctor in Masvingo, but the situation is under control as we send a doctor either from Manicaland or Midlands provinces from time to time to manage the situation,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
He said the challenge is not peculiar to Masvingo, as other provinces are also without resident doctors.
“This is not peculiar to Masvingo only, as there are other provinces without resident doctors, and we are waiting for deployment after the necessary government procedures, which sometimes take longer than anticipated, but one is coming soon after the necessary formalities like vetting and interviews,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi explained that the resident doctor does not attend to patients on a daily basis, as most staff and their families are on medical aid.
He said their main role is to check on the medical status of staff and maintain health records for the smooth operations of the police force.
However, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the situation is more critical than portrayed, particularly in Bulawayo and Harare.
“Countrywide, there should be 30 doctors in the police force, including specialists, but there are not more than 10 countrywide, leaving a deficit of 20,” said the source.
“There is no doctor in Masvingo, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, with Bulawayo and Harare being the most affected because of their size.”
The source added that a minimum of 14 doctors, including specialists, are required in Bulawayo and Harare alone, but there are only four at the moment.
Some officers and members of the community have raised concerns, saying a permanently stationed doctor would ensure quicker medical assessments and better healthcare support.
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