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The Herald, 22 October, 1980
THERE was no move or intention on the part of the Government to curtail the activities of medical aid societies, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Simon Mazorodze, said yesterday.
He was speaking at a meeting of the National Association of Medical Aid Societies in Salisbury.
The meeting was attended by representatives of more than 15 medical aid societies, including the major societies in Zimbabwe.
In his address, the Deputy Minister said that the Government’s new policy aimed at achieving health for all by the year 2000.
“By this I mean that everyone should be leading a useful social and economically productive life,” he said.
The Government recognised the “serious problems facing the rural people, and re-emphasised its commitment to primary health, the prevention of disease and the reopening of clinics and hospitals”.
The doubling, and sometimes even trebling of the demand for medication at a number of rural clinics indicated that a large amount of the population was unable to afford proper medication before the advent of a free health service.
The free health service did not affect the medical aid societies as they dealt mostly with the higher income brackets, he said.
In fact, the service helped as it reduced absenteeism among the rank-and-file workers.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
While medical aid societies play a crucial role in enhancing access to healthcare services by providing financial protection against high medical costs, they also reflect broader systemic issues within the country’s health delivery framework that need ongoing attention and reform.
With financial backing from medical aid societies, healthcare providers may be incentivised to maintain higher standards of care due to the competitive nature of attracting insured patients. However, disparities exist based on the type of medical aid plan one has.
The regulatory environment for medical aid societies in Zimbabwe is overseen by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC). These bodies ensure compliance with national health policies and protect consumers’ rights. Regulations stipulate minimum standards for coverage, pricing transparency, and the handling of claims.
While medical aid societies help individuals manage healthcare costs, they also face challenges related to sustainability due to rising healthcare costs and economic instability in the country.
Online Reporter