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million. If paid the funds would be enough to retire the city debt of US$100 million to its suppliers and fund service delivery.
Since 2009 Government has retired only US$9 million of its debt to council which is mainly for refuse, water and sewer charges.
Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda said calls for the scrapping of the fees were misplaced as the end result would be compromised service delivery.
DPM Khupe, however, insists that scrapping maternity user fees is feasible considering that Government has already fund-raised to that effect.
Speaking to members of the business community at Town House on Monday during a 2013 pre-budget consultative meeting, Mayor Masunda said council would maintain the maternity fees.
“We do not want to hear Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe or Vice President Joice Mujuru calling for the scrapping of the fees,” he said.
Harare charges US$25 in maternity fees against a budget of US$129 for the delivery of a single baby. The city was forced to reduce its fees from US$50.
Now the city wants to revert to the US$50, which was contested last year.
“If we take heed not to increase then we are at risk of not fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals on the reduction of infant mortality.
“Our service is better than at most Government establishments. We do not want to compromise on standards,” he said.
Mr Masunda said the city budget should be ready for Government scrutiny by end of next month.
DPM Khupe took a swipe at the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare for holding on to more than US$40 million raised under the Health Transition Fund for too long.
The funds are meant to cushion user fees on behalf of all pregnant women so that they register and deliver free of charge.
“I am greatly disappointed by the snail’s speed by Government in scrapping user fees for expecting women. The money is already there but I am informed they are still working on logistics on implementing the project,” she said.
High user fees have been identified as one of the reasons for maternal deaths and complications as mothers fail to raise enough money to register for delivery.
According to the Zimbabwe maternal and perinatal mortality study (2007), the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has trebled to 725 deaths for 100 000 live births.
Online Reporter