Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights
Health workers views on the constitution
Introduction
This submission contains a compilation of the views of more than 400 health workers consulted by the
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights about their views on the new Constitution.
ZADHR actively engaged members of the health profession during a series of meetings held at central and
provincial hospitals to ensure that health workers were given an opportunity to actively participate in the
constitution making process. It was unlikely that health workers, due to their work schedules, would be able
to attend and participate in COPAC outreach meetings and have their voices heard. The focus of the
consultations was in two parts. It was meant to gather general views on the constitution and on the right to
health.
ZADHR hosted lunch hour discussion forums at major health institutions across the country. In Harare
discussions were held at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare Central Hospital and Chitungwiza Central Hospital.
In Bulawayo, meetings were held at United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mpilo Hospital. Further meetings were
held at Gweru Provincial Hospital, Kwekwe General Hospital, Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital and Mutare
Provincial Hospital. The objectives of the meetings were to share knowledge and views with health
professionals on the new constitution and to facilitate meaningful participation of health professionals in the
constitution making process. During the meetings materials on the constitution and the right to health were
distributed in the form of pamphlets and t-shirts. 529 health professionals among them nursing and medical
students, nurses and doctors took part in the forums. 332 filled in questionnaires soliciting their views on
what makes a good constitution and the content they would like to see in a new Zimbabwean constitution.1
Health workers general views on the new Constitution of Zimbabwe
PROCESS
Participation
50% of respondents were more concerned with the process rather than the outcome since the process would
determine the output. 43% were more concerned with the outcome while the rest were concerned with both
the process and the outcome.
Of the 50% those who are concerned with the process, 8% argues that constitutional awareness campaigns
should be carried out in rural areas before COPAC goes for the outreach programme. Further, 35% felt that
full participation of the communities and health professionals should be encouraged. 57% of respondents
felt COPAC should allow the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and other ministries and organisations
to make submissions; equal representation of men and women in constitutional committees and teams,
impartiality of outreach teams; political will power to ensure that the constitution making process is
democratic and transparent and the need for the public to be protected from victimisation during and after
the constitutional making process.
1
See annex one for the questionnaire administered to participants in the discussion forums.
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