Healthcare System Faces Scrutiny Following Pinjisi's Death

Musicians and fans alike have sharply criticized the poor condition of the healthcare system and are calling for the government to set up a national health fund aimed at assisting artists and celebrities who encounter accidents or confront severe medical conditions.

The call follows the premature passing of sungura artist Tatendra Pinjisi.

Pinjisi passed away last Sunday due to the injuries he suffered in a car crash.

The incident happened on Friday, April 11, close to Norton as he was heading to a performance in Kadoma.

Sadly, two fellow band members and a woman who was with them also perished in the crash.

Pinjisi sustained serious head trauma along with several fractures and was hospitalized at Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare.

Even though he was admitted to the intensive care unit, his wounds were too critical, and he ultimately succumbed.

The picture of Pinjisi begging for painkillers during his last moments serves as a chilling reminder.

This highlights a situation where a traffic collision, an all-too-frequent event, turns into a fatal outcome because of the absence of essential healthcare resources.

The image speaks to a system where the difference between life and death can be a CT scan that isn’t available or an ambulance that arrives too late.

The events leading up to Pinjisi's demise have highlighted the severe state of Zimbabwe's health care system.

Medical reports from a physician at the medical facility suggested a power failure that compelled nurses to utilize flashlight apps on their mobile phones due to insufficient lighting, along with an inadequate supply of potent analgesics for Pinjisi, who was apparently experiencing extreme discomfort.

This has resulted in significant anger and criticism towards Zimbabwe's healthcare system, with numerous people pointing out persistent drug shortages and insufficient infrastructure.

Johannes Marisa, a medical practitioner and patron of the arts, stated that collaborative efforts were essential to enhance healthcare systems within the artistic community.

“He stated that there should be a national health fund for our arts professionals.”

I have contributed to assisting others, yet we require additional support to enhance collaborative efforts and aid our artists.

A seasoned sungura musician, First Farai remarked, "It would be ideal if there were an organization to advocate for something like this health fund."

This occurrence is not uncommon.

Recently, several Zimbabwean celebrities have unfortunately passed away due to accidents, and questions about insufficient healthcare support have arisen in certain instances.

A young Afro-pop artist named Garry Mapanzure passed away in October 2023 following a vehicular collision.

His relatives mentioned that the medical facility where he was admitted did not have crucial devices like a CT scanner, and they also didn’t have ambulances equipped with oxygen to move him to Harare.

The main singer and drummer of the rhumba band Insimbi ZeZhwane, MaEli and Thembinkosi "Maviri" Mpofu, passed away in an automobile crash in August 2023.

Although the reports centered on the incident, the larger issue of healthcare access continues to be a worry in these scenarios.

The businessman and socialite known as Genius "Ginimbi" Kadungure along withMichelle "Moana" Amuli, who was often referred to as a vixen, passed away inNovember 2020 due to a fatal high-speed car crash.

Although they passed away immediately, this event underscored the risks associated with traffic accidents in Zimbabwe.

Cal_Vin, the rapper, passed away in November 2020 following his involvement in a hit-and-run automobile incident.

It is said he arrived at Mpilo Hospital deceased.

The reports indicate that the hospital was deficient in medical supplies and staff.

The veteran actor Lazarus "Gringo" Boora died in November 2020 after battling widespread cancer.

His relatives mentioned a shortage of money for his medical expenses, even though individual practitioners had volunteered to treat him at no cost.

This scenario underscores the difficulties patients face when trying to obtain prompt and sufficient care for severe diseases.

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