Parliament probes drug shortages in hospitals

Parliament has launched a probe into Zimbabwe's chronic drug shortages, with lawmakers questioning why public hospitals ration even basic supplies like saline and paracetamol. The inquiry comes as the health system faces mounting criticism over its inability to stock essential medicines. Health experts say the shortages stem from funding gaps, procurement inefficiencies, and corruption in the supply chain. The parliamentary committee will examine contracts, payment systems, and distribution networks to identify failures. The investigation targets years of systemic dysfunction that has left public pharmacies empty and patients forced to buy medicines from private retailers at inflated prices.