04 June 2004

by Anai Rhoads

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AnaiRhoads.org - Zimbabwe has been plagued with economic and health related issues over the last decade as HIV/AIDS has swept through the country.

With an overwhelming average of nearly 3,000 men, women and children dying daily, Zimbabwe was forced to resorted to desperate measures in order to ensure the country's hospitals won't collapse under the enormous weight.

The largest state-run medical facility in the country, Harare Central Hospital, recently announced that will refuse to relinquish custody of 28 newly born infants until the mothers are able to pay their medical bills.

Superintendent Chris Tapfumaneyi confirmed the incident to Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper, saying, "There were 28 mothers who had not paid anything and we could not let them go when they owe us money."

Tapfumaneyi went on to justify detaining the infants by saying the hospital is currently unable to buy essential medication and laboratory equipment.

With the added burden of HIV/AIDS in the country, pregnant women are faced with serious complications. Zimbabwe's Health Ministry has reported that for every 100,000 women, 700 are estimated to perish during any stage of their pregnancy or delivery.

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