By Kuda Pembere
With debate on Clause 11 of the Medical Services Amendment Bill, which deals with termination of pregnancy or abortion as well as other issues, expected to top the Senate’s business this year, the Upper House on Tuesday skipped the Bill’s debate.
The debate was deferred due to the absence of the Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora.
During the Second Reading stage, the responsible minister is required to outline the purpose of the Bill, after which senators debate its general principles and merits. A vote is taken at the end of this stage.
All eyes had been on the Senate as it was set to debate the controversial clause, widely seen as key to shaping Zimbabwe’s approach to termination of pregnancy, commonly referred to as abortion.
However, it emerged that the Health and Child Care Minister was attending the year’s first Cabinet meeting.
“I move that notice of motion number one to 11 be stood over until the rest have been disposed,” Senator Charles Tavengwa announced.
Among the proposed changes are provisions empowering the health minister to determine maximum fees that private hospitals may charge for certain services, the introduction of criminal penalties for parents or guardians who prevent a child from receiving treatment deemed to be in the child’s best interests, and an obligation on all health institutions to treat prisoners and detained persons at the state’s expense.
The Bill also seeks to compel private health facilities to provide emergency medical treatment to patients regardless of their ability to pay.
In October 2025, the National Assembly approved sweeping amendments to the Termination of Pregnancy Act [Chapter 15:10] of 1977. The proposed changes, introduced through the Medical Services Amendment Bill, now await Senate consideration before possible presidential assent.
Supporters of Clause 11 say it is meant to ensure that lawful medical services already recognised by the Constitution become more accessible by removing procedural barriers that have delayed care, and that it does not “introduce abortion on demand” or expand grounds for termination beyond constitutional limits.
The outcome of the Senate process will determine whether Zimbabwe’s reproductive health laws are aligned with the 2013 Constitution, prevailing medical evidence, and contemporary public health realities.
