adminCouncil intended to raise maternity fees from US$25 to US$50.
The municipality runs Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital, Wilkins Hospital, 12 polyclinics and 32 primary healthcare centres.
“The money to fund operations has to come from rates. If we continue like this (charging US$25) we are going to have a shortfall of US$12 million,” said Harare mayor Mr Muchadeyi Masunda.
He said political interference was making it difficult for the city to implement decisions. “As a result of pressure from the political powers that be, we have left our fees for medical services pegged at this year’s levels. Consequently, the deliveries at Mbare’s Edith Opperman Maternity Centre, whose services are second to none, have shot up to between 500 and 600 babies per month.”
Mr Masunda said the maternity clinic was being overwhelmed because it was cheaper for mothers to deliver from there.
He said the city succumbed to pressure from Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe not to increase the maternity fees.
“She said giving birth was a national service, but failed to observe that there is a cost to it. What is US$50 per birth in three or four years? Births are planned and should be budgeted for,” said Mr Masunda.
He said council was anxious to turn all its properties into viable entities.
Online Reporter