By Tendai Makaripe
WHEN 21-year-old Tinomuda Mutero left home for work in April, his mother Agnes never imagined it would be the last time she would see her son healthy.
Just days later, Tinomuda died, succumbing to a drug-resistant strain of typhoid fever—a devastating outcome stemming from Zimbabwe’s escalating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. “We did everything we could, but nothing worked,” Agnes Mutero recalled tearfully.
“He fought hard, but the medicine failed.”
Tinomuda, a fruit vendor from KwaJacha, Epworth, was diagnosed with typhoid—a bacterial infection commonly spread through contaminated water. Doctors immediately prescribed ciprofloxacin, a standard antibiotic, but his condition worsened rapidly.
Tests later revealed he had contracted a resistant strain of Salmonella typhi. The tragedy did not end with Tinomuda’s death. With no funeral assurance policy, the family faced enormous financial hardship, forcing them into debt and leaving them dependent on neighbours’ generosity.
Ultimately, the Muteros buried their son in a makeshift coffin fashioned from an old wardrobe.
“It was humiliating,” said neighbour Kelvin Masikati. “A young man who provided for his family deserved dignity in death, but they could not afford even basic funeral costs.”
Tinomuda’s story is increasingly common in Zimbabwe, where AMR—the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics—has emerged as a deadly public health issue.
A 2019 University of Washington study revealed that AMR contributed to approximately 1.27 million deaths globally, with Africa accounting for over 250,000 of these cases. Zimbabwe ranks among the continent’s most affected countries, with health experts raising alarms over the rising prevalence of resistant infections.
Biologist Tawanda Katsumbe explained that poor sanitation and improper antibiotic use fuel AMR.
“People often misuse antibiotics because of inadequate healthcare guidance,” Katsumbe said.
“This improper use creates resistant bacterial strains, turning once-treatable infections into deadly illnesses.”
Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, already strained, struggles to cope. Many health facilities report increasing antibiotic resistance, especially in urban settlements like Epworth, exacerbated by poverty and limited access to clean water.
The rise in AMR-related deaths has placed funeral assurance at the centre of Zimbabwe’s economic and social debate. Patrick Mhaka, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Association of Funeral Assurers, noted a significant increase in families unable to cover funeral expenses due to sudden, unexpected deaths.
“Funeral assurance has become essential in this environment,” Mhaka explained.
“Families drained by medical costs have little left for funeral expenses. Assurance policies provide immediate financial relief during a traumatic period.” Yet uptake remains low.
Industry data from Zimbabwe’s Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) shows that despite a recent increase in policies sold, funeral assurance penetration remains below 5%. Economic instability, high unemployment, and widespread poverty significantly hinder affordability and uptake.
Warrant Funeral Home CEO Clayton Dambudzo said economic hardship should not discourage families from securing assurance.
“Our new-generation funeral products cater specifically to low-income families, with affordable, flexible premiums designed for Zimbabwe’s challenging economy,” Dambudzo said.
“The aim is financial inclusion, protecting the most vulnerable from crippling debt in moments of crisis.” Harare resident Andrew Muparamoto represents a segment sceptical about funeral assurance.
“Funeral policies often deliver limited value,” Muparamoto argued.
“People pay premiums for years, yet at death, receive little beyond basic services. There should be better transparency and value for customers.”
Addressing such concerns, Mhaka acknowledged past challenges but stressed industry reforms.
“The economic environment previously made it difficult for policies to mature,” he said. “However, recent stabilisation through the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZIG) currency has improved our products, offering better returns and more predictable benefits.”
Zimbabwe’s government recognises the dual threat posed by AMR and inadequate funeral assurance. Grace Muradzikwa, IPEC Commissioner, emphasised the importance of insurance literacy to improve policy uptake.
“Insurance is fundamental to economic resilience, especially amid public health crises,” Muradzikwa said.
“Educating communities about affordable funeral assurance is vital to protecting families from financial devastation.”
Simultaneously, Zimbabwe is strengthening AMR surveillance through the Fleming Fund initiative, equipping labs nationwide to track resistance patterns and inform public health responses. The Ministry of Health and Child Care is also intensifying educational campaigns promoting responsible antibiotic use.
Critics argue that funeral assurance alone is insufficient without addressing AMR’s root causes, such as inadequate sanitation and healthcare access.
Joyce Dube, a UK-based mental health expert familiar with Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, warned that relying solely on insurance policies is ethically troubling.
“We must prioritise preventing deaths by improving sanitation, healthcare access, and antibiotic stewardship,” Dube said. “Funeral assurance is necessary, but it cannot replace effective public health interventions.”
To effectively mitigate AMR’s human and economic impact, Zimbabwe requires a holistic strategy combining immediate financial relief through funeral assurance and long-term public health improvements.
Insurance companies must continue innovating accessible, transparent products, while government and civil society focus on enhancing healthcare delivery and antibiotic regulation.
Agnes Mutero hopes no other family endures what she did.
“Tinomuda was our hope,” she said quietly. “We lost him to something preventable. Families like ours need protection—not just after death, but before.” Zimbabwe now stands at a crossroads: confronting AMR through comprehensive reform or risking more preventable deaths.
Funeral assurance alone is not the solution, but as the crisis deepens, it remains a critical lifeline—providing dignity to grieving families in their darkest moments.
