Zimbabwe dismiss New Zealand's health claims

The Zimbabwean government has dismissed suggestions made by New Zealand Cricket that its tour later this year might be called off because of concerns over the health facilities in Zimbabwe.

NZC's chief executive Justin Vaughan and New Zealand Cricket Players' Association head Heath Mills both spoke out about the "the collapse of public heath system in the African nation" and warned without adequate facilities, the tour was unlikely to happen.

But Zimbabwe's sports minister David Coltart told Harare's Independent the New Zealanders had an obligation to visit. "I think it's unfortunate because while we don't have a first-world health system, we still have very good medical facilities in this country. Our private health system is excellent, and for those who can afford, service delivery is excellent.

"The cholera epidemic that affected our nation in 2008-09 is a thing of the past. It's clear to me that … we are improving all the time. Ask people who travel to Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and to an extent Pakistan. I believe in many respects Zimbabwe is a far healthier environment. I don't believe there is any justification to use health grounds to stop a team from coming here."

However, Coltart's optimism is not shared by those on the ground who report Harare's sewage system has all but collapsed and claim raw sewage is now seeping into the city's main water source, leading to fears of renewed cholera outbreaks. Last year, more than 4000 people died of the disease in Zimbabwe.

Coltart went on the state the political concerns which caused a planned tour in 2009 to be postponed no longer applied. "There's still a long way to travel, but it's an unrecognised country compared to this time last year. There are fewer reports of human rights violations. It's by no means perfect, but things have greatly improved."