By Staff Reporter
HARARE – Mutare Provincial Hospital has recorded zero percent compliance with Zimbabwe’s electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system, exposing serious gaps in the adoption of digital procurement across the country’s public health sector, Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) has revealed.
The findings, presented during a stakeholder engagement with Members of Parliament, show that while some hospitals are gradually adopting the electronic procurement platform, parts of Manicaland province remain significantly behind.
TIZ programmes officer Ngqobani Tshabangu said the situation in the province contrasts sharply with progress being recorded elsewhere.
“While other provinces are going north, Manicaland is going south in the opposite direction, as there is no effort at all,” said Tshabangu
Zimbabwe introduced the e-GP system in 2023 and operationalised it in 2024 as part of broader public procurement reforms aimed at improving transparency, reducing corruption risks, and enhancing the efficiency of public fund use.
Research conducted by TIZ with procurement officers and health professionals in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mutare, and Gweru reveals uneven adoption of the platform, with some institutions still heavily reliant on manual procurement systems.
“Our engagements with health professionals show that while the e-GP system is widely appreciated for its potential to promote transparency and accountability, the practical challenges faced by hospitals are limiting its full utilisation,” said Tshabangu
He noted that hospitals often revert to manual procurement processes when urgent medical supplies are required.
“When life-saving medicines stock out, or critical equipment breaks down, the rigid workflows of the e-GP system can make it difficult for institutions to respond quickly. In such situations, hospitals face a difficult choice between strict compliance and saving lives,” he said.
According to TIZ, several structural challenges are slowing adoption of the digital procurement platform, including poor ICT infrastructure, unreliable internet connectivity, limited technical skills among procurement personnel, and delays in Treasury fund disbursements.
In some instances, accounting departments still require physical documentation even after procurement units have processed transactions through the electronic system, creating duplication and delays that undermine the digitalisation drive.
The organisation warned that such constraints could undermine efforts to ensure essential medicines and maternal health supplies reach patients on time.
Meanwhile, legislators have called for reforms to strengthen procurement systems in the health sector.
Marondera East legislator Vimbai Mutokonyi said there is a need to professionalise public procurement officers.
“There is a need to register and train all public procurement officers and have them under one professional association. We have seen it with the Law Society and what is done with chartered accountants,” he said.
Mutokonyi said establishing a professional body would strengthen accountability and improve procurement standards in the public sector.
Ruwa legislator Thomas Mawodzere also urged procurement officials to consult technical experts before purchasing specialised medical equipment to avoid costly mistakes.
“When all has been done, the procurement officer should at least consult those who are knowledgeable. We do not want a situation where someone buys a full-body scan machine designed for smaller bodies in China, only to have it arrive here and sit idle in warehouses. On this side, we have bigger bodies,” said Mawodzere
Tshabangu said addressing systemic weaknesses will be critical if the e-GP system is to deliver on its intended goals.
“If the system is to function effectively, there must be investment in ICT infrastructure, improved technical capacity among users, and stronger coordination between the institutions that support the procurement process,” he said.
Public procurement accounts for a significant share of government expenditure and plays a key role in the functioning of Zimbabwe’s health system.
