By Kuda Pembere
HARARE – Zimbabwe commemorated its first-ever International Paramedics Day on Tuesday, with health officials using the occasion to highlight the newly gazetted Medical Services Amendment Act, which makes the provision of emergency medical care a legal obligation for both public and private health institutions.
The event brought together more than 30 public and private emergency medical service (EMS) providers at Harare Town House to celebrate the contribution of paramedics while reflecting on the significance of the new law, which requires healthcare providers to prioritise life-saving treatment before issues of payment.
Speaking at the commemorations, organised by Health and Safety Solutions, the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Chief Director of Curative Services, Dr Maxwell Hove, who represented Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora, said the amendment strengthens the constitutional right to emergency healthcare.
“It is important to note that emergency medical services are part of the right to healthcare that is now enshrined in our Constitution. As if that was not enough, the Medical Services Amendment Act was assented to yesterday.
“Which implies that the provision of emergency medical services is now part of our law and legal framework. If we are called upon as service providers to provide emergency medical care and, for some reason, fail to do so, we may be called to account. In some cases, we may even be prosecuted.
“We are now required to provide emergency medical services first. Issues relating to remuneration or payment of fees can only be addressed after we have saved a human life. That is the significance of enshrining emergency medical services in both the Constitution and our statutes,” he said.
Dr Hove said the new law also places clear obligations on private health institutions to provide emergency treatment regardless of a patient’s ability to pay immediately.
“When you take a patient in an emergency medical situation to a private medical institution, whether it is Milton Park Hospital, Borrowdale Trauma Centre or any other private institution, they are required to attend to that emergency patient and stabilise them for at least 48 hours before referring them to a public or another appropriate institution. Questions relating to fees can only be addressed after the patient has been taken out of the emergency situation,” he said.
He said the Ministry of Health and Child Care remains committed to strengthening emergency medical services through quality education, continuous professional development, sound clinical governance and sustained investment in emergency care systems.
“I also acknowledge the families of our emergency medical personnel for their unwavering support. As we commemorate this important day, let us remember those members of the emergency medical services profession who have passed on, particularly those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“To all emergency medical professionals, continue to uphold integrity, compassion, excellence, teamwork and respect for human dignity. To every ambulance technician, emergency medical technician and paramedic across Zimbabwe, thank you for your professionalism, resilience and unwavering commitment to saving lives. Whether you are receiving a long-service award today or quietly reporting for another shift, know that your work matters, your dedication is valued and your contribution is deeply appreciated,” he said.
The commemorations also recognised emergency medical personnel who have served for up to 50 years, with long-service awards presented in recognition of their dedication and contribution to emergency healthcare in Zimbabwe.
Getrude Chiwisa of Health and Safety Solutions, which organised the commemorations, said the event marked Zimbabwe’s first official celebration of International Paramedics Day since joining the global initiative.
“Health and Safety Solutions is the Zimbabwean representative of International Paramedics Day, which was started by the College of Paramedics in the UK in 2022. Ever since Zimbabwe joined, we had not held any celebrations, so this is the first time we have organised our own.
“The day marks the birthday of the doctor who pioneered emergency medical services globally. It is a very important day for us because paramedics are often unsung heroes whose work is rarely recognised.
“We attend very traumatic scenes involving fatal crashes, severe injuries, amputations and other life-threatening emergencies. It is not easy to witness such situations, yet very few people celebrate what paramedics do. That is why we decided to commemorate this day in Zimbabwe,” she said.
Representing Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume, Councillor Jane Bengani paid tribute to paramedics for their unwavering commitment to saving lives.
