Who Holds the Record · country brief · data as of 2026-10-01Who holds the health record in Zimbabwe?
In 2026, Zimbabwe scores 38 of 100 on a person's right to see, control and share their own health record: rank 103= of 196 countries (likely range 83 to 139), in the Weak band (25 to 44). Who holds the keys: State. Source: Who Holds the Record, SuperTruth, data as of 2026-10-01.
Zimbabwe has written health-data consent and confidentiality into law, but patients have no verified portal, no access log and a record system built for clinics.
Published · updated · data as of 2026-10-01 · research tool, not legal advice
Can I get my health records in Zimbabwe?
Access to the full record scores 40 of 100 in Zimbabwe, against a median of 43 across 196 countries. Section 14 of the Cyber and Data Protection Act 2021 gives a right to access personal information, but sets no deadline or format. No patient portal was verified, so patients ask each provider.
Can I control who sees my health record in Zimbabwe?
Control and consent scores 32 of 100 in Zimbabwe, against a median of 30 across 196 countries. The 2021 Act requires written, revocable consent for health data, but care under a health professional is exempt, and the 2026 amendment lets providers share records with each other in the patient's interest. No access log or opt-out was found.
Eight rights, against Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin and the EU
| Patient access to the full record20% | 40 | 35 · 40 · 45 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patient control and consent20% | 32 | 30 · 30 · 30 | |
| Privacy and security15% | 48 | 48 · 45 · 52 | |
| Connected care journey15% | 32 | 38 · 35 · 22 | |
| Protection from commercial use10% | 45 | 45 · 48 · 45 | |
| Clinician access at the point of care10% | 28 | 36 · 28 · 20 | |
| Research and trial consent5% | 50 | 49 · 49 · 50 | |
| Clinical AI governance5% | 28 | 25 · 40 · 30 |
Black dot: Zimbabwe. Hollow dots: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin (scores on the right, same order). Grey line: median of all 196 countries. Dashed teal line: EU median. Overall: Zimbabwe 38, EU median 61. Scores move in steps of about 5; read the rank with its likely range.
What would Zimbabwe need to change to score higher?
Zimbabwe sits in Weak (25 to 44); Mixed starts at 45. The two rights furthest below the 196-country median, weighted, are connected care journey (32, median 38) and patient access to the full record (40, median 43). The published rubric reads:
- Connected care journey: Primary care, hospitals, labs, pharmacy, claims and public health linked to one record and used at national scale.
- Patient access to the full record: A national portal showing at least part of the record (summary, prescriptions, labs) to most residents puts access at 60 to 75; a near-full record with export, long history and majority use, 76 to 90.
Which laws give health record rights in Zimbabwe?
- Cyber and Data Protection Act, No. 5 of 2021 (2021): Health data needs written, revocable consent; access right; 24-hour breach notice; POTRAZ is the authority.
- SI 155 of 2024, Licensing of Data Controllers and Appointment of DPOs Regulations (2024): Data controllers must be licensed by POTRAZ and appoint data protection officers.
- Public Health Act [Chapter 15:17], No. 11 of 2018 (2018): Patient information is confidential; record use for treatment or research needs authorisation.
Strain and split context, not scored
- Doctors per 10,000
- 1.9 2024
- Nurses and midwives per 10,000
- 14.7 2024
- Private insurance + out-of-pocket
- 18.1% 2023
- Record reaches private care?
- unknown
Published stories
- 2025-06-29 · Pindula News Fire at a public hospital destroys nearly two decades of patient records
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