Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora last Friday called on Zimbabweans in the diaspora to partner Government and contribute towards the modernisation and strengthening of the national health care system.
Addressing the Zimbabwean community at a high-level meeting at the country’s Embassy in London, Dr Mombeshora encouraged participants to consider being part of the proposed National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), an initiative expected to create a structured framework for citizens’ contribution towards improving healthcare services.
Government has said it is ready to partner with private health sector players to ensure the timely delivery of health care and lessening the burden on citizens.
“Through our NHIS, we are saying we do not want to tax people, we do not want to devalue them, it will be for every citizen to access free medical services from our public health facilities.
“Since we are also moving to equip our hospitals, it means there will be equipment in hospitals and we will not need to go to the private sector for tests or whatever. Everything should be done by government hence we are also looking at contracting private hospitals, if they want to be paid by the same scheme, but they will have to accept the tariffs that we set,” Dr Mombeshora said.
The Minister said there has not been quick progress at the moment as after the draft Bill and its revision, there are a few things that the Attorney General’s office pointed out for corrections.
Under the proposed NHIS initiate, Government will cover public hospital fees for the consultation, treatment and admission of patients, who will also be treated for free.
“If you want to go to a private hospital, you will be allowed to do that. But if you choose to go to a public hospital, you will be treated for free. The money will cover your consultation, treatment and your admission. There must not be anyone who says I cannot get treatment of my illness.”
Dr Mombeshora said Government plans to equip public hospitals with state of the art equipment will ensure that patients do not go to private medical facilities for tests related to their illnesses as they will access then at public hospitals.
“We hope that will ease all the things. And since we are also moving to equip our hospitals, it means there will be no need to go to the private sector for tests or whatever.
Everything should be done by Government.”
