ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the existing mechanisms for community participation in the health care system in Zimbabwe, highlighting multiple perspectives on the underlying contradictions, tensions, and processes at play between policy and practice. It concludes that in order for the health system in Zimbabwe to better respond to the needs of the most vulnerable through community participation, there is need to recognise the differentials in power and how this influences participation. The most critical notion presented by the study is that a number of socio-economic, political and societal factors influence community participation that takes place in the health system in Zimbabwe. The Public Health Act of 1924 is the principal law regulating public health in Zimbabwe. The legislative framework for health in Zimbabwe provides for community health councils at district level and hospital advisory boards at hospital level and these include community representatives in advising on client care and health management issues.
