adminGOVERNMENT is set to launch a new locally funded financing model for cancers and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) before the year ends, a senior official has said.
NCDs are medical conditions or diseases that are non-infectious and cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
Traditionally, NCDs and other diseases excluding HIV, Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis were only funded from the fiscus.
Ministry of Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr Paul Chimedza said the Government is formulating a holistic approach towards funding treatment and prevention of NCDs at national level.
“Cancer treatment is expensive that most people are failing to access chemotherapy or radiotherapy, there is a need for Government to provide subsidies so that the treatment is offered for free,” Dr Chimedza said.
“We are not going to have a cancer levy as per agreed earlier on, because eventually there will be a need for a cardiovascular diseases or Diabetes levy also which will be too much for our people.
“Therefore, as a ministry together with our local partners we have put a new financing model to fund NCDs and other diseases that are lacking funding in the country.”
He said the new model is still work in progress, although it is expected to be finalised before the year ends.
“This new financing model is a positive step towards abstaining from relying too much on donor funds.
“Over relying on donor fund puts the health system at risk because if the donors decides to withdraw, then the country’s health would be paralysed,” Dr Chimedza added.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo