Zimbabwe’s collapsed health system failed him says Garry Mapanzure’s sister

By Darlington Gatsi

SISTER of Afro-pop musician Garikai “Garry” Mapanzure cut a defeated figure as she gave a moving tribute at the burial of her brother at Lawn Cemetery in Masvingo Sunday.

Mapanzure died in the early hours of Friday due to injuries he sustained in a road traffic accident Thursday and was buried three days later.

Garry’s sister Kudzai Mapanzure Chikwanha blamed the health system which she said led to her brother’s death.

“I have one message which will not be right if I don’t say it today. The health system in Zimbabwe failed Garry. I want to say it because maybe they may hear us. Maybe Garry would have been alive today, maybe somebody’s life or another child, maybe some other family wouldn’t have to go through the pain we are going through. He held on for 12 hours but there was nothing in Masvingo,” an emotional Chikwanha said breaking into tears.

Chikwanha made a passionate appeal to the Government to address the situation to avert further fatalities at health delivery facilities in areas like Masvingo.

“To me, it just means that if anyone has a serious accident in Masvingo it is a death trap, you are dead, you are as good as dead. Garry, I do not know what to say I never thought in my whole life that I would come here to bury Garry. No this is wrong. People say it is God’s time but I do not believe that it was Garry’s time. If the Government can hear us, do something so that another family will not have to gather again.

“Just one scan could have saved Garry just for him to be looked at what was going on in his brain. Just an ambulance could have taken him where he needed to go. I asked the hospital in Masvingo they said they had no oxygen in the ambulance. Maybe something, I do not know I don’t know but I know Garry held on for 12 it is not fair.”

The 25-year-old musician, who was severely injured during the car accident is reported to have waited many hours for an ambulance to arrive, battling for his life.

Air medical assistance failed to arrive due to power faults at a Masvingo helipad.

This has attracted rage from Zimbabweans over the health system which they say is rotten.

This comes as President Mnangagwa told World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly recently that the country has made strides in the health sector.

These sentiments were trashed by the opposition which blames the ruling party Zanu PF for the state of the health system.