Minister charms health insurance companies

Adelaide Moyo Chronicle Reporter
THE government has urged medical practitioners to work with health insurance companies to improve the country’s health delivery system as only 7,5 percent of the country’s population is on medical aid.

Officially opening the Zimbabwe Medical Association (Zima) congress in Victoria Falls on Friday, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa, encouraged dialogue between the two parties saying the government was aware that most health insurance companies have not complied with various regulations.

“I would like to encourage good relations and lines of communication to remain open for the sake of patients and the public at large. The government is aware that health insurance companies haven’t made it easy for Zima as most of them haven’t complied with various regulations. We’re working on the medical aid society’s regulatory framework that will be put in place to address this challenge,” said Dr Parirenyatwa while addressing nearly 300 delegates who are attending the four-day congress running under the theme: ‘Ethics in medical practice’.

“We hope medical specialists work with community members because as it is, there are some key population areas that need to be addressed in the country and they remain the same.

“There is a need for medical experts to look with an open mind at them and these include the youths, sex workers and prisons.”

He applauded Zima’s efforts in supporting the government for the sake of the good health of the nation.

“We’re a strategic partner with Zima and we appreciate the good work you do. We hope you will continue offering technical support to the government especially through medical outreach programmes,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

Speaking at the same occasion, a leading medical practitioner, Professor Innocent Gangaidzo, said ethics should be taken into consideration by health professionals.

“The profession, both public and private, has to deal with some ethical issues. We hear of health funders redirecting patients resulting in compromised care or we even hear of profiteering and extortionist behaviour by some service providers. Health practitioners must repair this image problem through ethical practices,” he said.

“Through this congress, we’re expecting that the profession comes up with innovative solutions to serve the nation whilst at the same time making a living.”