Hospitals fleece funds inflating prices

By Kudakwashe Ruwende – Sunday Mail Reporter

Officials at provincial and district hospitals are abusing funds running into millions of dollars at the expense of improving the health delivery system, it has emerged.

The corruption storm which has rocked health institutions came to light after Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr Paul Chimedza visited several hospitals in Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Midlands provinces and witnessed the abuses first hand.

He, however, could not be drawn into releasing his report on the three provinces visited so far as investigations are still underway.

In Midlands, Dr Chimedza found that a hospital bought an X-ray machine that was overpriced by about US$150 000. The X-ray machine was valued at US$30 000 but a Bulawayo-based company was paid US$180 000 to supply it.

The same company was also paid US$100 000 for hospital renovations.

Dr Chimedza said he was also shocked to find state-of-the-art medical equipment bought a decade ago was lying idle although it was key in surgical operations.

The Deputy Minister said action would be taken against all those involved abuse of public funds and under-utilisation of medical equipment.

Dr Chimedza said the probe would extend countrywide.

“There have been reports that some of the staff in several hospitals have been neglecting patients who would have come to hospitals or clinics seeking for treatment. While on the other hand some are abusing hospital equipment for their personal use.

“We have since visited Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Midlands provinces over the past weeks and we will also assess the remaining provinces.

“It is not a witch hunt as we are also looking at the welfare of our workers, considering that some of them are situated in remote areas hence the need for us to know about the problems they are facing.

“We have institutions that are in remote areas and the work that is being done by the staff there is unique and Government has to look at ways to give incentives and provide adequate resources.

“There have also been reports that some of the staff in several institutions have been neglecting patients who would have come to hospitals or clinics seeking treatment, while on the other hand some are abusing hospital equipment,” said Dr Chimedza.