adminthe authorities and received treatment on credit.
The institution’s chief executive officer, Dr George Vera, yesterday said most debtors were nowhere to be found and the debts were likely to be written off.
Dr Vera said people were in the habit of signing acknowledgement of debt forms using wrong addresses and other contact numbers to evade paying the debts.
“Currently, such patients owe us at least US$6,4 million. They come here stranded and because we are human enough, we treat them and ask them to sign acknowledgement of debt.
“They provide us with false information to make sure we do not get paid. They supply wrong residential addresses, wrong next of kin and wrong telephone numbers.
“We have problems in collecting that money. Debt collection is very expensive. We send drivers using our own fuel, only to be informed that the debtor does or never stayed at that house.
“In February the debt was US$5 million and it is increasing considering that people are now aware that they can dupe the hospital staff and get free treatment,” he said.
Dr Vera said the institution was experiencing very serious cash-flow problems, which were now compromising the hospital standards.
“We are having serious cash-flow problems and our operations are being hampered. Imagine if the US$6,4 million is collected, this institution would improve and meet the expected standards,” said Dr Vera.
Of the 1 200 pregnant women who deliver every month at the hospital, only 200 pay up their bills while the rest disappear without paying.
Although Dr Vera confirmed that health was a fundamental human right accessible to all, he said operating for free was not sustainable in Zimbabwe.
“We understand and accept that health is a fundamental right and that is why we treat people on credit. Now that they choose not to pay, we are now confused on what we should do.
“We do not know what to do, we simply treat them. This is because we know that the consequences of not treating somebody is death, hence we cannot just watch people dying,” he said.
The hospital has been spending at least US$5 000 monthly on sending reminders to people who do not pay.
Meanwhile, the institution’s maternity ward has come under fire for allegedly unlawfully detaining women after giving birth for non-payment of maternity bills.
Several people have been complaining over the alleged behaviour and The Herald was inundated with phone calls and text messages of people accusing the institution of unlawful detention.
In one of messages, one Mr David Muchemwa said: “I was so touched with the way women are being treated at Harare Hospital – being detained for failing to pay the accrued hospital bills.
“However, as responsible parents let us face the reality here. As long as your wife is pregnant, you must save some money.
“At least half of the amount because the authorities know that the rest will not be paid. So let us look at both sides to improve our country’s health delivery system,” the text message read.
Commenting on the allegations, Dr Vera said they were false and baseless, adding that if anyone had such complaints, he or she should approach the authorities for an investigation to be launched.
Dr Vera said it was not the hospital’s policy and that if any such activities were taking place, they were illegal and reports should be made to the authorities.
“That is not the institution’s policy and we do not allow that to happen. It is illegal and we do not detain people here. Maybe the complaints stemmed from some discharge procedure, which involves a lot before one leaves the hospital. Patients are required to sign some acknowledgement of debt and other requirements, the process that appears long and monotonous for patients who would be craving to go home,” said Dr Vera.
Online Reporter