Health Time Bomb

Dr. Parirenyatwa was speaking against the background of the hike of fees by health service providers.The Minister said he was “concerned with the increase in hospital and doctors’ fees, as this has resulted in many ordinary Zimbabweans failing to access treatment when they require it.”Dr Parirenyatwa said he would soon call a meeting of all stakeholders to map out the way forward that could result in patients benefiting from such an arrangement.Some doctors have increased consultation fees from $5 million to between $20 million and $40 million while hospitals have increased registration fees up to $200 million.Medical Aid Societies increased members’ contributions by between $10 million and $15 million per individual for public hospital while private are paying between $35 million and $45 million. Medical costs in Zimbabwe are soaring, and there is now a real risk that many might not be able to afford critical medical care, even with support from medical aid societies.The rise in medical costs came to the notice of the National Incomes and Pricing Commission through complaints over increases in subscriptions to medical aid societies, and the NIPC put its foot down, insisting no increases could be effected without its approval