Valerie Chibaya is suing Vice President Constantino
Chiwenga in his capacity as Health minister after accusing health officials at
the hospital of neglecting to treat her as a medical emergency.
In her High Court papers, Chibaya named the vice president
as the defendant in the suit as he is responsible for the actions of health
officials. According to her summons, Chibaya went to Sally Mugabe Central
Hospital on June 17 when she was 23 weeks pregnant after experiencing unusual
abdominal pains.
Upon arrival, the doctors and nurses did not take her
temperature, blood pressure or sugar levels nor did they do a routine check-up
on her.
Instead, they insisted that she gets a scan first before
they could treat her, despite her obvious pain and discomfort. Chibaya claims
that she began to bleed, without any treatment or even a wheelchair being
provided.
The woman eventually went into premature labour and lost
her baby without receiving any emergency medical care from staff at the
hospital.
“It is reasonably foreseeable that a pregnant woman
presenting herself at night in severe abdominal pain, if not medically assisted
diligently and as a matter of urgency would develop complications threatening
her life, causing pain and suffering, loss of and amenities of life.
“The traumatic experience by plaintiff occurred in a public
place where people watched her in such a vulnerable position. Plaintiff as a
result was humiliated, demeaned and embarrassed,” reads Chibaya’s summons.
Chiwenga and the Health ministry are yet to file their
responses to Chibaya’s suit. Daily News
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