Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Health Reporter
THE National Health Insurance Bill has reached one of its final stages before presentation to Cabinet and Parliament, with the draft law now under peer review at the Attorney-General’s 0ffice, it has been learnt.
Once enacted, the Bill will overhaul Zimbabwe’s health financing system by establishing a national insurance scheme that guarantees every citizen and resident access to essential healthcare services — regardless of income or employment status.
In an interview, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said the drafting process had been completed and the Bill was now undergoing legal scrutiny to ensure its soundness and alignment with existing laws.
“The National Health Insurance Bill has moved forward.
“As you know, we completed the draft. It is now with the Attorney-General. Last week, I heard that they are waiting for what they call peer review, where other members give independent comments.
“After that, it will go to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, then Cabinet, before tabling in Parliament.”
Dr Mombeshora, however, expressed concern over the slow pace of progress, saying he had hoped the Bill would have been tabled before Parliament by the end of October.
He said that he hopes that by the end of the year, the draft Bill would be before Parliament.
The proposed law is a key pillar in the Government’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the global Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Mombeshora said the Bill seeks to create a fair and inclusive system where every Zimbabwean can access health services without facing financial hardship.
“The whole purpose of coming up with the National Health Insurance Bill is to address the issue of access — equal access — to health services,” he said.
“Some people cannot afford even the US$2 consultation fee at a local clinic.
“We have had to segment our population into those who pay and those who don’t, but that is not a fair system.”
It is envisaged that the NHI will establish a unified national fund that pools contributions from Government, employers, employees and the informal sector.
