The right to health care services in Zimbabwe

Section 76 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe enshrines the right to health care services to all citizens. The government has a responsibility to take all practical measures to ensure the provision of basic, accessible and adequate health services throughout the country and to ensure that no person is refused emergency treatment 14 at any health institution.

According to the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights:

The right to health includes the entitlement to timely and appropriate health care and also encompasses underlying determinants of health, such as access to safe and potable water, adequate sanitation, an adequate supply of safe food, nutrition, housing and access to health-related education and information. Participation by the population in all health-related decision making is also important.

Pursuant to Section 76 (1) of the Constitution, the Public Health Act [Chapter 15:17] is legislation which provides for public health 17 in Zimbabwe.