Govt Urged to Rein in Mpilo Hospital Staff After Delays in Treating Accident Victims

Civic groups are calling for government action after accident victims were reportedly left unattended at Mpilo Central Hospital (image source)

Bulawayo — Civic groups and health rights activists are calling on the government to take firm action against staff at Mpilo Central Hospital after allegations that accident victims were left unattended for hours, a delay that may have worsened injuries and claimed lives. The outcry follows a recent road traffic accident in which several victims were rushed to Mpilo, only to reportedly wait for extended periods without receiving urgent medical care. Witnesses described a slow response by staff, attributing the delays to shortages of personnel and equipment. Families of the injured expressed deep frustration, accusing the hospital of negligence. “We cannot allow negligence to become normalised in our hospitals. Every minute counts in trauma cases,” said a health rights activist.

Mpilo Central Hospital, one of Zimbabwe’s key referral institutions, has long battled chronic resource constraints. Shortages of medical staff, outdated equipment, and limited supplies have repeatedly strained service delivery. Yet critics argue that urgency and professionalism must remain uncompromised, even under difficult conditions. The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the systemic challenges and pledged to review emergency procedures while strengthening triage and response protocols. Officials confirmed that investigations are underway to determine whether staff conduct contributed to the delays.

Civic groups insist that accountability is non-negotiable. “We need clear disciplinary measures for staff who fail to uphold their duties. Patients’ lives depend on it,” said a spokesperson for a Bulawayo-based NGO. The incident has reignited long-standing concerns about Zimbabwe’s declining healthcare standards. Patients’ rights advocates have renewed calls for extensive reforms, including targeted training for emergency personnel, improved triage systems, and increased investment in infrastructure and equipment.

Relatives of the victims described “harrowing scenes” in which injured individuals lay without attention, with some reportedly losing consciousness while waiting. “It was heartbreaking to see people suffering while staff seemed indifferent,” said one witness. The controversy has also cast a spotlight on the broader crisis facing Zimbabwe’s healthcare workforce. Doctors and nurses continue to shoulder overwhelming workloads, often with minimal support and inadequate remuneration. Many skilled professionals have emigrated in search of better working conditions, deepening staff shortages at major hospitals.

Despite these pressures, activists maintain that negligence cannot be excused. They emphasise that emergency care is a constitutional right and that hospitals bear the responsibility of safeguarding lives at all times. As investigations progress, the government faces intensifying pressure to demonstrate its commitment to accountability and healthcare reform. For many citizens, the hope is that lessons from this tragedy will lead to stronger emergency systems, stricter oversight, and restored trust in public hospitals.