Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Health and Child Care launched a digital grievance redress mechanism at Chegutu Hospital yesterday to enable faster and more direct communication between patients and health policymakers.
Speaking at the launch of the system, Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care, Dr. Aspect Maunganidze, highlighted the transformative potential of the platform in bridging the communication gap between the community and decision-makers.
“This initiative represents a significant step forward in enhancing transparency and accountability within the healthcare system. Patients and residents can now communicate faster and more directly with health policymakers, and in turn, matters raised will be addressed in the shortest possible time.
The system, which allows individuals to submit their complaints, suggestions, or feedback online, is expected to significantly reduce response times and improve service delivery at the hospital. Previously, grievances were typically reported through manual processes that were often slow and inefficient, leaving many concerns unaddressed,” Dr. Maunganidze added.
The ministry has pledged to expand the initiative nationwide as part of efforts to digitise public services and enhance citizen engagement. Dr. Maunganidze urged residents to make use of the system, adding, “This mechanism underscores our dedication to putting citizens that will help us identify and resolve challenges in real time.”
Dr. Maunganidze reiterated that the success of the platform depends on active participation by residents. “We are committed to addressing grievances promptly, but this requires the community to engage with the system and provide constructive feedback,” he said.
Health official Tinashe Chuma, the District Medical Officer for Chegutu, explained that the platform is user-friendly, accessible to all residents, and designed to accommodate a wide range of concerns.
“This system will address issues ranging from service delivery to broader health policy recommendations. It is our hope that this mechanism will foster a culture of responsiveness and continuous improvement in healthcare services,” said Mr. Chuma.
Local residents have welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism about the potential impact on healthcare standards in the area.
“This is a very good development. Many of our concerns have gone unanswered in the past because we had no direct channel to communicate them. Now, we can raise issues and be assured they will be acted upon,” said one Chegutu resident.
The launch of the system is expected to set a benchmark for how public institutions can leverage technology to improve service delivery and accountability.
