A growing barrage of accusations has emerged against Harare-based gynaecologist Dr. Chirume, alleging negligence, extortion, and mistreatment of patients under his care. Multiple complainants claim that they have suffered both medical and financial harm following interactions with Dr. Chirume in clinical settings in the capital.
The allegations centre around claims that standard care was ignored or performed poorly, resulting in preventable complications. Some patients assert that Dr. Chirume demanded excessive payments—beyond what they were told or what is customary—to receive treatment or to have procedures completed. Others say that they were physically or emotionally mistreated, alleging that the environment of care was abusive and dismissive of their concerns, especially when outcomes were poor.
Victims speaking out say they often felt powerless to protest, fearing reprisals or abandonment of care if they refused payments or challenged the doctor’s decisions. One woman described an incident in which she believes Dr. Chirume ignored her reported symptoms, only to later find herself in worse condition, and still being billed for additional unplanned treatments. Another pointed to a pattern of asking for funds in advance—even before any detailed diagnosis or consent—raising worries about transparency and ethical medical practices.
Health watchdogs and civil society groups are urging an investigation into Dr. Chirume’s conduct. They demand that authorities audit his patient care practices, billing procedures, and consent protocols. Some legal experts have noted that if these allegations are substantiated, they may amount to serious breaches of medical ethics and may also attract criminal or civil liability.
Dr. Chirume has yet to publicly respond to detailed allegations. Meanwhile, some of the patients’ testimonies have already reached local media outlets, prompting calls for regulatory intervention from the Health and Allied Professions Council of Zimbabwe (HAPCZ), which oversees professional standards among medical practitioners.
The unfolding controversy has sparked concern among the general public about the safety and reliability of maternal and women’s health services in Harare, particularly for those who are economically vulnerable. Observers say that the alleged misconduct, if proven, underscores deeper systemic issues in governance of private medical care—issues of oversight, accountability, and patient rights.
