adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE increase in consultation fees announced by the Ministry of Health and Child Care last week has sparked an outcry from residents who are saying they have been failing to pay the old fees.
The government increased consultation fees for general practitioners by 100 percent, with initial consultation at a general practitioner’s room going up from $20 to $35, while subsequent consultation at the rooms for the same illness will be $30, up from $15.
Residents’ associations in Bulawayo said the increases were unjustified and ill-advised.
Bulawayo Residents Association ((Bura) chairperson, Winos Dube said the move would worsen the the plight of residents who have been failing to pay the old fees.
“This is not fair. We’re concerned and questioning ourselves if the government is aware that many people could not afford the old fees. The increase will force the medical aid societies to increase workers’ monthly contributions from their paltry salaries,” said Dube.
He said there was a need to re-visit the fees with a view to make them affordable to the majority of people who might be denied access to health care services.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) programme officer Rodrick Fayayo said: “This is hypocrisy on the part of government. We were actually expecting the government to reduce the fees.Health is a human right and I believe that it is the responsibility of government to ensure meeical fees are affordable to the majority of people,” he said.
Fayayo said most people, especially in Bulawayo were affected by de-industrialisation, with only a few able to pay for medical fees even at public health institutions.
He said the increase in fees was meant to benefit medical practitioners, who he said were already earning a lot of money.
“We hope the government will consider the plight of its people and revise the fees downwards.
Many people are struggling to meet basics such as food, rentals and paying utility bills,’ said Fayayo.
The government also increased consultation for physician paedatricians from $100 to $120
Subsequent consultation at hospital or nursing home per day is now $40, up from $20. Doctors’ consultation fees went up to $60 for weekend visits and $70 for night visits.
Maternity fees for private hospitals were however, slashed from $750 to $126 for a normal delivery in category A institutions while those in category B will charge $96.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter