SAMA speaks out against Zimbabwe human rights abuses

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) notes with increasing concern the difficult political situation in Zimbabwe, the impact this is having on the general health of the people of Zimbabwe, the general decline in health standards and the human rights violations that are reported daily from Zimbabwe.

The General Secretary of the United Nations in a 29 April 2008 statement commented on the many serious assault cases on innocent civilians, some resulting in death.

In 2007, SAMA’s National Council passed a resolution condemning the human rights abuses that at the time were happening in Zimbabwe. This was subsequently followed by the World Medical Association (WMA) passing a resolution condemning the human rights abuses that were widely reported in Zimbabwe.

Many commentators have reported on the desperate economic problems that Zimbabwe has faced for many years and the general impact this has had on the every day lives of the Zimbabweans. This complicated situation must undoubtedly impact on the health and lives of the vulnerable citizens in Zimbabwe.

Kgosi Letlape, Chairman of SAMA says: “Most disturbing for us are the allegations of involvement by senior government health officials, as well as other doctors, in the armed acts of intimidation. Doctors should never be associated with such activities and this must be condemned in the strongest terms. If these allegations are proven correct we call for the strongest form of sanctioning of these doctors, both by Zimbabwe and international authorities”.

Letlape added “The current human rights situation in Zimbabwe calls for a speedy resolution to avoid an impending human catastrophe. Those who value human rights around the world must commit to support Zimbabwean healthcare workers by any means legally possible, as they have major challenges carrying out their task in these difficult times. SAMA therefore supports the forces of change currently working to resolve the Zimbabweans’ human rights dilemma.”

SAMA calls for the respect for human dignity and cessation of all abuses of human rights in Zimbabwe. It further calls for Zimbabwean health workers to be provided with the necessary moral, administrative and material support to continue their work under these difficult circumstances.