The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) says the detention of patients at government health institutions is cause for great concern.
Itai Rusike, the Executive Director, said it was government’s responsibility to come up with safety nets to ensure that poor and vulnerable members of society are cushioned.
“Health institutions should understand that we have members of society who cannot pay fees and government should ensure that there is a safety net – especially for children under five, the aged, the disabled and pregnant mothers,” said Rusike.
Detaining patients who could not pay was unfortunate – particularly as the new constitution emphasised the importance of access to quality health services for all.
“Instead of detaining patients, they should agree on the payment terms with the patients. We know that government may not have the resources to provide free health services for all, but ultimately, it is the responsibility of the state to take care of its vulnerable,” he said.
Government receives large amounts of donor funding for the health sector and that money should cushion these patients, he added.
- Farai Gwenzi*, 34, from Chivhu who was last week detained at Harare Central hospital for three days after he failed to settle his bill of over $300 said he escaped from the institution during visiting hour.
“I tried explaining that I would settle the bill once I got back home and by the end of the month (July) but they did not understand,” he said, alleging that he was denied the hospital food allocation given to patients.
“The challenge is that for the three days that they detained me, the bill continued to soar although I was no longer getting any treatment. I am sure that they are going to charge me for the food too although I was not getting any,” said Gwenzi.
Paul Chimedza, the deputy minister of health, is on record urging government hospitals to stop detaining patients.
Biata Beatrice Nyamupinga, Zanu (PF) MP for Goromonzi West, who is also the chairperson of the Parliamentary portfolio committee on women’s affairs, gender and community development on June 2 gave notice in Parliament that she is set to move a motion to stop hospitals from detaining new mothers.
According to the National Assembly Order Paper, Nyamupinga’s motion would recognise the deteriorating health services in the country’s public institutions with a special focus on maternal health issues.
Post published in: News