The right to an interpreter in the Zimbabwean health care system: an appraisal

Abstract

The right to an interpreter in the health care sector is an indispensable right, especially given that issues in this sector have a bearing on life and death if language becomes a barrier to diagnosis and prognosis. Against this background, this article examines the policy position and practice in Zimbabwe in relation to the right to health. It also examines the implications of the two on the right of access to health. Findings of this study show that the right to health care services and information in Zimbabwe is not guaranteed in the language understood by the patient and in forms of communication suitable for persons with disabilities or through an interpreter. Some patients’ right of access to health care services and information is compromised due to the language barrier. There are no linguistic considerations in the deployment of medical practitioners such that some practitioners find themselves in communities with languages they cannot speak or understand. This compromises diagnosis, prognosis and patient adherence to treatment. It was observed that persons with disabilities and minority language speakers are the most affected in this regard.