Conflict resolution in the medical and allied industries is crucial for maintaining a harmonious working environment and ensuring optimal healthcare delivery. Zimbabwe, like many other countries prioritises the health of its populace through best practices by the practitioners. This is despite the scarcity of resources to make such happen in most cases.
While conflicts have been topical as in other fields, its crucial to derive conflict resolution mechanisms in the health sector where the most topical issues have been conflict of interests of the health practitioners as well as issues to do with salaries for government official which have left the industry as a war field. While engagements have over the years bore fruits, there have been calls for permanent solutions to these conflicts.
The results from a study on Political conflict and community health in Zimbabwe: Health professionals’ perspectives demonstrated the intricacy of the political dispute around community health issues. Participants discussed commonplace health repercussions of conflict, such as mental health issues and, in the case of political violence, physical harm that results in disability. But the narratives of the participants also produced statistics that indicated how deeply embedded politics are in the community’s health care system. The study also yielded themes to suggest the corresponding increase of intra-group conflicts as a result of political conflicts, the disturbance of social fabric and structural shortages
There have been arguments for implementation of clear regulatory frameworks as fundamental in conflict resolution in the industry. For example this may include empowering the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) with adequate resources and expertise to enforce regulatory requirements effectively. MCAZ is a regulatory body that ensures the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines and medical devices in Zimbabwe. A few years ago authority faced challenges in regulating imported medical devices due to limited resources. However, through collaborating with international bodies and securing funding for training programs, MCAZ improved its regulatory capacity. This led to a more robust oversight system, reducing conflicts between healthcare providers and suppliers over device quality.
The other option is capacity building and training. Scholars and researchers alike have often argued that training initiatives that enhance regulatory capacity among stakeholders, including regulatory authorities, healthcare professionals, and industry representatives are crucial, for example the development of a competence framework that includes proficiency in scientific and health concepts, encompassing the understanding and application of evolving basic and translational science, regulatory science, and public health principles. In 2011, the Training and Research Support Centre (TARSC) together with Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare spearheaded trainings that included interactions between health workers and communities, patient rights and advocating and negotiating health issues in selected parts of the country .
In 2019, a there was also a training program was initiated in Harare and Bulawayo hospitals focusing on conflict resolution skills for healthcare workers. The program included role-playing scenarios and workshops on effective communication. Post-training evaluations showed a significant reduction in workplace conflicts and improved patient care outcomes.
International Harmonization is also crucial for conflict resolution in health care. This includes aligning legislative provisions with international standards and guidelines to facilitate trade and harmonization efforts, potentially adopting regulations developed by the International Medical Devices Regulators Forum and WHO. Zimbabwe adopted WHO guidelines for the regulation of medical devices. This alignment helped streamline the approval process for new devices and reduced conflicts between local manufacturers and regulatory bodies. The harmonization also improved market access for Zimbabwean products internationally.
As strategies to manage conflict it is therefore important to engage in negotiation and mediation. This approach helps in resolving disputes amicably and maintaining a positive working environment.
It is also important to focus on building trust and relationships. This helps in fostering positive social interactions and build trust among colleagues as well as in better navigating conflicts and reducing the feeling of isolation and disconnection among employees.
By adopting these best practices and learning from the case studies, Zimbabwe can strengthen its healthcare regulatory framework and effectively manage conflicts within the medical and allied industries. Implementing a robust legal foundation, fostering capacity building, and utilizing conflict resolution strategies will ensure a safer and more efficient healthcare system in the country.