[A report of the state of health in Zimbabwe]

The health state in Zimbabwe is reported in terms of currently significant diseases, health statistics and hygiene and health care system in conjunction with the author's experiences as a visiting doctor in the country between June and September in 1989. Since independence in 1980 the government has transformed the colonial and racial health system and attempted to redistribute health care resources to the rural population. Similar to many countries in Central and East Africa, the accumulative number of AIDS cases in Zimbabwe is increasing rapidly despite the vigorous governmental campaigns launched in the early stage. The incidence of tuberculosis has also been rising since 1986 apparently in association with HIV spread in the country. On the other hand Zimbabwe is unique among the countries in Africa because rural clinics and preventive medicine such as immunization, basic sanitation and health education have been well-established throughout the country. As a result various communicable diseases common to the tropics and subtropics have been successfully controlled. The country now needs to improve quality and quantity of hospital medicine. While hospital facilities are available, the number of doctors, particularly in the district, is far below demand. Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in Africa where doctors trained in Japan could work efficiently and therefore it is suggested that it be considered as a country amenable to international medical cooperation.