This Human Rights Bulletin has been prepared against a background of the collapse of basic service delivery such as health, education and food in Zimbabwe. The aim of this particular Bulletin is to examine the collapse of the health system in Zimbabwe and to consider the Government of Zimbabwe’s (GoZ) international obligations in terms of guaranteeing the right to health for its citizens, and the internationally accepted benchmarks that the Inclusive Government must aim to achieve to ensure the attainment of ‘the highest standards of living’ for all Zimbabweans.
The right to health is the right to the enjoyment of a variety of facilities, goods, services and conditions necessary for the realization of the highest attainable standard of health. This right is guaranteed not only by timely and appropriate health care but also by determinants 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.