dyton mupawaenda
Tanyaradzwa Rusike-Check Point Desk
MIDWIVES at major referral hospitals in Harare are allegedly demanding money for blood tests from pregnant women who are due for delivery, a fee that is already part of their maternity package, an investigation by Check Point has revealed.
The fee, which ranges from US$10 to US$25, is charged according to their perception of the relatives’ ability to pay.
Health and Child Care Ministry spokesperson Mr Donald Mujiri said blood tests fees are part of the standard maternity package and any other tests are carried out when clinically indicated.
Pregnant women require US$25 to register their pregnancy.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care emphasises that the standard maternity package includes the Full Blood Count tests. Any additional tests are only carried out when clinically indicated,” he said.
He said it is a requirement that during antenatal care, pregnant mothers undergo Full Blood Count tests to monitor the health of both the mother and the developing foetus to identify potential risks and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
However, tests like urea and electrolytes, International Normalising Ratio and Liver Function are only conducted if there is an emergency or complication to the pregnant mother.
Recent interviews with pregnant mothers and relatives at Chitungwiza and Sally Mugabe Central Hospitals revealed that mothers who would have delivered a normal birth are also being forced to give the midwives some form of bribe money.
In an interview during an undercover investigation at Chitungwiza Central Hospital, a relative who had her sister in the maternity ward who requested for anonymity said the money they were forced to pay was too much.
“My sister is inside and the nurses said they want US$15 for blood tests. My sister has already delivered and I wonder what blood tests they still require.
“They have also requested her to pay US$5 for the baby to be administered Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG), which I understand is a free vaccine. All the money we are paying to the nurses is not receipted and I believe it is going directly into their pockets,” she said.
Another woman who requested anonymity said she was forced to pay for the so-called blood tests although her daughter had a normal delivery.
“The way nurses are requesting for money at Chitungwiza Central Hospital is just too much. My daughter gave birth two weeks ago and we were told that she was not going to be discharged if the money for blood tests was not paid.
“What is not making sense to me is that she had a normal delivery and even though they were requesting us to pay, we never saw the results of the tests,” she added.
At Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Mrs Laiza Chakanetsa whose sister was in the maternity ward, said she was forced to pay some money but it was not clear what it was for.
“If you don’t pay these extra costs, these nurses will not be attentive to your relative hence, we are forced to pay these fees,” she said.
Mr Mujiri said all payments related to hospital services must be made exclusively through the accounts department.
“Official receipts must be issued for every transaction. Under no circumstances are clinical staff permitted to engage in any monetary transactions directly with patients,” he said.
Mr Mujiri warned clinical staff who were soliciting money from patients outside official channels, saying that they are violating Government policies.
“Reports of staff asking money from patients outside official channels are in direct violation of Government policy which prohibits unauthorised collection of funds by health workers and such acts will be treated as corruption.
“The ministry has initiated investigations into the reported incidents. Any individual found responsible will face disciplinary action in accordance with Public Service Regulations and relevant anti-corruption statutes,” he said.
Chitungwiza Central Hospital chief medical officer Dr Raphael Makota said they were going to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action.
“Management is not aware of the practice of charging patients for blood tests during normal deliveries. We will conduct a thorough investigation and take disciplinary action against any staff members found to be engaging in this practice,” he said.
Dr Makota said it was not permissible for nurses to conduct money transactions with nurses.
“Patients should not be required to pay fees directly to nurses for services that are supposed to be covered by the hospital or healthcare system.
“We apologise for any inconvenience or distress caused to patients and assure them that we are committed to providing quality healthcare services without any undue financial burden,” he said.
Online Reporter