A 75-year-old woman from Murambinda in Buhera District, Manicaland Province, has filed an urgent court application accusing a private hospital of unlawfully detaining her over an unpaid medical bill. Marita Manyore has been held at Exclusive Medcare Hospital for close to two weeks after the facility allegedly refused to discharge her until her medical bill, now said to total US$2 200, is fully paid.

Discharge Recommended, Release Denied

Manyore was admitted on 10 February 2026 under the care of a specialist physician after her family sought medical assistance. On 15 February, following an assessment that reportedly found her condition had improved and no longer required specialist care, the attending doctor recommended her discharge.

However, when her family requested that she be released, noting that the bill had already reached US$1 070, hospital authorities allegedly declined. The family offered to pay US$200 immediately and settle the balance in two monthly instalments of US$500 each.

According to court papers, the proposal was rejected, with hospital officials insisting on full payment before discharge.

On 19 February, the family again attempted to negotiate, offering US$500 upfront. By then, they were informed that the bill had risen to US$1 440.

Lawyers Step In

On 25 February, the family paid US$500 as part payment and engaged lawyers Peggy Tavagadza and Tatenda Sigauke of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR). In a letter addressed to the hospital, the lawyers described the continued detention as unlawful and unethical. They argued that the hospital could discharge Manyore and recover any outstanding debt through a payment plan or civil recovery processes without infringing on her rights.

Despite this intervention, the hospital allegedly remained adamant. During a meeting on 26 February, a director reportedly informed the family that the bill had escalated to US$2 200 and that the US$500 payment was insufficient motivation to release her.

Urgent Court Application

Left with limited options, Manyore, through her son Witness Mavambire, filed an urgent chamber application at the Mutare High Court on 28 February 2026. In the application, she seeks an order declaring her detention illegal and compelling the hospital to release her immediately.

Her lawyers argue that continued confinement in a medical facility where she is no longer receiving treatment, while additional costs continue to accumulate, violates her constitutional rights and effectively traps her in a cycle of debt.

Manyore has reportedly expressed gratitude for the medical care provided, but maintains that contractual obligations cannot justify the violation of her fundamental rights.

The matter is yet to be set down for hearing at the Mutare High Court.

Hospital detention unpaid medical bill Zimbabwe