Section 76: Right to health care
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) Every citizen and permanent resident of Zimbabwe has the right to have access to basic health-care services, including reproductive health-care services.
(2) Every person living with a chronic illness has the right to have access to basic health- care services for the illness.
(3) No person may be refused emergency medical treatment in any health-care institution.
(4) The State must take reasonable legislative and other measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to achieve the progressive realisation of the rights set out in this section.
Insight: Right to Health Care in Zimbabwe
This constitutional provision establishes healthcare as a fundamental right rather than just a service. It's particularly notable for explicitly protecting reproductive healthcare access and the rights of those with chronic illnesses. The emergency treatment clause prevents discrimination in urgent situations, while the final paragraph acknowledges practical resource limitations through a "progressive realization" approach - meaning the government commits to gradually expanding healthcare access over time rather than guaranteeing immediate universal coverage.