The main aim of the paper is to examine the rural healthcare challenges in Bikita district of Masvingo province, Zimbabwe. A total of 150 questionnaires were administered to collect data from the residents of the district. Four structured interviews were conducted with senior nurses in the district in order to supplement the data from the questionnaire responses. It emerged from the research that healthcare challenges in Bikita district are multifaceted. They range from inadequacy of human and material health care resources, transport problems to long distances travelled by patients to access medical care. Based on the findings, a number of recommendations were suggested to mitigate the impact of the challenges.
Rural healthcare, Bikita, Healthcare challenges, Zimbabwe and National Health Insurance
