An Overview of Health Manpower Issues in Relation to Equity in Health Services in Zimbabwe

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Periodical article

Title:	An Overview of Health Manpower Issues in Relation to Equity in Health Services in Zimbabwe
Author:	Loewenson, Rene
Year:	1990
Periodical:	Journal of Social Development in Africa (ISSN 1012-1080)
Volume:	5
Issue:	1
Pages:	23-29
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Zimbabwe Southern Africa
Subjects:	public health Health and Nutrition Labor and Employment Medicine, Nutrition, Public Health social justice Health services health personnel
Abstract:	The current health services in Zimbabwe reflect the socioeconomic context and the historical legacy of British colonialism, although since independence in 1980, race is no longer a deciding factor in most aspects of health status or access to care. It continues to play a role, however, in that most whites are in the high income groups and most blacks are poor. Class has become a more important determinant of health outcomes, interacting with urban/rural status. The rural/urban dichotomy is increased by the continued existence of multiple providers of care, not all of whom share the policy view of equity in health care. While the process has begun, there is a need for greater democratic control over health services by the community, as well as by different levels of health care providers. The sector also needs to find more effective ways of playing a role in transforming an economy which continues to generate a highly unequal distribution of morbidity and mortality. Bibliogr., sum.