(TALKZIMBABWE) Zimbabwe showing signs of recovery
Zimbabwe showing signs of recoveryReuters/TZG
Fri, 22 May 2009 04:47:00 +0000
Shelves are full again in this Harare supermarket and food prices are falling across Zimbabwe.
ZIMBABWE'S main hospitals are already showing signs of improvement since the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) intervened and helped pay allowances to some doctors and nurses.
Medical workers in the country are getting a US$100 a month stipend like all other state employees.
A report by Reuters news agency Thursday said, "The odours of death and decay (at Parirenyatwa General Hospital) are gone from the corridors of Zimbabwe's biggest hospital, replaced by the smells of medicines and food for the patients who are once again coming for treatment."
Since the formation of the inclusive Government between President Robert Mugabe and old rivals Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara of the two MDCs started work in February, doctors and nurses are being paid again and have returned to Harare's Parirenyatwa General Hospital.
Shelves in supermarkets and stores are now full of food and Zimbabwe's stocks of drugs are reported to have risen from 10 percent of what they should be to 42 percent and are set to reach 60 percent in August, according to the Ministry of Health.
"Things seem a bit better compared to when I was here in January but drugs are still short," Emelda Mwaera, a 61 year old diabetic told Reuters, as she was wheeled by a nurse from the hospital to a car.
In December, she lost her youngest son to cholera at a clinic in Budiriro township in Harare.
Teachers are also reporting for work after the government exempted their children from fees.
Prices have stabilised after authorities allowed use of multiple currencies and shops have basic goods again. Councils have started rubbish collections.
But obstacles still remain. The biggest university, the University of Zimbabwe, is still shut because it has no water and students cannot afford the fees.
WEST STILL WAITING
The inclusive Government is trying to raise billions of dollars from Western donors and last week launched a 100-Day Plan meant to restore the economy and set targets on political and economic reforms.
The World Bank has said it will provide $22 million, although not through the government.
The United States emphasised that it was not ready to restart aid to the inclusive Government for now.
"I want to be sure that any aid that comes from an American perspective gets through to the people," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told South African television.
The inclusive Government has still fared far better than many pundits had expected. Prime Minister Tsvangirai said on Thursday that only two areas of disagreement remained within the government -- the posts of central bank governor and attorney general.
Political tension in the country has also eased.
"There is a melting away of the fear that had become omnipresent in Zimbabwe's political environment," said political analyst Eldred Masunungure.
African institutions are making available more than $1 billion to revive closed industries. Gold producers are re-starting shut mines, tempted by the more conducive political environment and strong prices.
The inclusive Government is targeting 6 percent growth in 2009 after years of decline.
However, chalenges remain ahead and the inclusive Government will be judged on its ability to deliver on basic services.
"What the masses want are tangible things like functioning schools, hospitals, good roads and good prices for their produce and jobs. So far it has tried and I will give it a marginal pass," Eldred Masunungure, a leading political analyst said.
"But the government will stand or fall on delivery."
-Reuters/TZG
posted by MrK @ 1:50 PM
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