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Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
MPILO Central Hospital has recovered $36 000 out of the $8 million it is owed in unpaid medical fees by patients since it engaged debt collectors last month. The hospital engaged Wellcash Debt Collectors in a bid to recover more than $8 million owed by patients who received treatment during the past four years.
In an interview on Tuesday, the hospital’s chief executive officer, Dr Lawrence Mantiziba said the collection of debts from patients was progressing well. “We decided to engage debt collectors after exhausting all possible avenues to recover the money. The debt collection is so far going on well because in less than a month, we have managed to recover $36 000 which is not bad. This is encouraging and we are continuing with the exercise until all the outstanding money is paid,” said Dr Mantiziba.
He said the money being collected will be used to, among other things, improve service delivery which he said was being compromised by lack of funds.
“Most of our suppliers now insist on cash upfront so the hospital is supposed to have the cash,” he said.
Dr Mantiziba however said the major challenge that the debt collectors were facing was that of patients who gave wrong addresses when they sought treatment.
“We, as hospital authorities are sensitive to the economic challenges facing the people hence the decision to come up with payment arrangements with patients which unfortunately are being frustrated by individuals giving false addresses,” he said.
Dr Mantiziba also urged members of the public owing the hospital to ask for positive identification particulars from Wellcash officials when visited to avoid being cheated by conmen.
“Once their debt is handed over for collection, the debt is only payable through the debt collectors and not at the hospital unless in situations where the debt was handed over in error like in cases where payment arrangements have been agreed upon,” said Dr Mantiziba.
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