Mothers said they were charged between $150 to $190 although they had delivered normally. Obediah Moyo, the hospital’s chief executive, said he was not aware of this and invited patients who had queries to contact his office.
Sheila Bakasa from Seke rural said she raised the issue with hospital clerks, but they could not justify some of the charges on her bill and refused to adjust it. She showed The Zimbabwean her bill for $180.
A night at the hospital costs $8 and new mothers incur other costs for drugs, sundries and a charge for normal or breech delivery.
Dorcas Mapundu, who spent two days in hospital, said patients had to buy everything from syringes to medication. “Patients who fail to buy their medication just sleep there. They do not receive any medication because the hospital can only give paracetamol,” she said.
Paidamoyo Mwale, who was hospitalised almost a week, said some of the money on his bill was for food. He said patients were served warm water with sugar instead of tea and two slices of plain bread around 9 a.m. For lunch and dinner they got sadza and cabbage.
“The diet is not even good for one’s health. There were days when we were not even given the warm water because staff said there was no electricity or water,” he said.
Chitungwiza central hospital has in the past been rated as one of Zimbabwe’s most developed public health institutions. Its laboratory was given four-star status by the World Health Organisation, and described as the best in the country.
Post published in: News
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