Patients’ lives at risk after Harare’s largest private hospital shuts down radiology department

HARARE – A major healthcare crisis has erupted at Zimbabwe’s largest private 24-hour hospital, The Avenues Clinic after the medical institution forcibly shut down its radiology department, which for more than 25 years had been operated by Baines Imaging Group (BIG).

BIG, in a statement on Monday, condemned the development as “illegal and dangerous,” warning that it has left critical patients without access to emergency and life-saving diagnostic services at Zimbabwe’s largest private 24-hour critical care hospital.

The closure occurred over the Heroes Day weekend when bouncers allegedly stormed the premises and physically removed BIG staff and management. The incident was reported to Harare Central Police under case number IR181907.

According to BIG, the Avenues Clinic, run by Medical Investments Limited, acted on the basis of a disputed arbitration award without securing legal court papers to enforce the removal.

The group also accused the hospital of shutting down the radiology unit for more than five working days under the pretext of conducting a “stock take and asset verification,” disrupting urgent medical care.

“Bouncers were used to physically remove BIG staff and management from these premises during Heroes weekend. This violent and illegal action was reported by BIG to Harare Central Police under case IR181907,” the group stated.

“Avenues Clinic (Medical Investments Limited) are basing this action on a disputed arbitration award without considering public welfare.

“The Avenues Clinic administration has shut down the radiology department for over 5 working days and nights for “stock take and asset verification”. This has directly impacted critical patient care which may lead to avoidable adverse outcomes.”

The company said it has appealed to national health authorities for intervention while it pursues legal remedies.

In the meantime, BIG has redirected its services to its nearby 52 Baines Medical Centre branch, where it is offering 24-hour radiology services to ensure continuity of care.

For more than a decade, Zimbabwe has been grappling with deep-rooted healthcare challenges that stem largely from the country’s prolonged economic crisis. Public hospitals and clinics are underfunded, often lacking essential medicines, equipment, and adequately paid staff.

This situation has been worsened by widespread corruption and mismanagement, which have diverted critical resources away from service delivery.

As a result, ordinary citizens continue to face barriers in accessing quality healthcare, with many forced to seek costly private alternatives or forego treatment altogether.

Zimbabwe has, further, consistently failed to meet the Abuja Declaration target, which obliges member states to allocate at least 15% of their annual national budgets to the health sector.