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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Health Buzz
Just recently, what started out as a trip to a church gathering ended tragically when 16 people died in a road traffic accident along the Harare-Masvingo highway.
Of the 44 people who were on board the Mercedes Benz Sprinter which was travelling towards Chivhu, 28 sustained injuries and were admitted to Chitungwiza Central Hospital.
The accident was declared a national disaster and the Government came in to assist those who were injured and the families of the deceased.
What is sad is that this was just one of the many accidents that happen on Zimbabwe’s roads on a daily basis, leading to the loss of life and limb.
Road accidents remain the major public health concern for all countries worldwide.
Approximately 1,25 million people die each year due to road traffic crashes globally.
According to the 2023 global status report on road safety by the World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic death rates are highest in the African region compared to other regions.
Injuries sustained in accidents are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged between five and 29 years in Africa.
Closer to home, statistics from the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe show that in 2023 alone, a total of 51 924 accidents were reported on the country’s roads, resulting in 2099 deaths and 9 955 injuries.
Although efforts to improve road safety have had an impact, the price paid for mobility remains too high.
These accidents not only have a devastating impact on the victims and their families, but also place a significant burden on the country’s healthcare system.
To ensure that victims of road traffic accidents have access to proper healthcare, it is essential for the country to have road traffic accident insurance.
In Zimbabwe, the law requires that all drivers have third-party insurance, which covers the costs of damages to other vehicles and property in the event of an accident. However, having comprehensive road traffic accident insurance can provide additional protection for the driver and their passengers in the event of a serious accident.
Despite the importance of road traffic accident insurance, many people still do not have third party insurance and the country does not have the road accident fund which could then kick in when calamity strikes.
Mostly, the perception that insurance is too expensive is a big setback.
Last year, the Government revealed that plans had been put in place to establish a road accident fund which would provide insurance cover to all road users.
This fund was supposed to provide coverage for medical expenses and other costs associated with injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. It would also compensate families of those who die in road accidents.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona, last week told the media at the post Cabinet briefing that efforts to have the fund in place were still underway.
He said the plan to also ensure that every driver had third party insurance was in place, but it was still difficult to enforce.
“The modalities to that effect are being pursued by the Minister of Finance regarding the collection mechanism of that third party insurance and on the pro rata basis pertaining to the claims that will emanate from such an insurance. We are saying at the end of the day as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, we will not sit and watch whilst we are witnessing these accidents,” he said.
So the road accident fund is still vital and would definitely cater for those that do not get covered under third party insurance.
Having this type of fund in Zimbabwe, where the healthcare system is under strain, can make a significant difference in the quality of care that accident victims receive.
The fund would help to ensure that accident victims can access the medical treatment they need in a timely manner.
In many cases, the cost of medical care following a road traffic accident can be prohibitively expensive, especially for those who do not have insurance.
This can result in delays in treatment, which can have serious consequences for the long-term health and well-being of the victim.
Having road traffic accident insurance can also help to alleviate the financial burden that accidents place on victims and their families.
In addition to medical expenses, accidents can also result in lost income, rehabilitation costs, and other expenses that can quickly add up.
By having insurance coverage, accident victims can focus on their recovery without having to worry about how they will pay for their medical bills.
Furthermore, road traffic accident insurance can also help to protect individuals from legal liabilities in the event that they are found to be at fault for an accident.
While Government is currently providing for the medical treatment of those injured in accidents like the one that happened last week, there are many other victims who still struggle to afford basic medical care after an accident.
For those on medical aid, getting therapeutic care can be slightly easier.
But only for as long as they do not exhaust their cover.
Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe chief executive officer Ms Shylet Sanyanga said victims of road accidents do get cover for medical emergencies and rehabilitation.
“Currently medical aids cover road accident victims under their existing benefits. So if they require hospitalisation for example, the member will draw from their hospital benefits. If they require long term rehabilitation they draw from their rehabilitation benefits. At times patients exhaust their annual limits and when that happens, they start paying out of pocket,” she said.
This, according to Ms Sanyanga is because of the absence of a road accident fund.
“If it were in place, schemes would then recover this expenditure through this fund so as to preserve benefits for other health issues.
“This is also similar to the injury in the workplace. Whereby NSSA has a worker compensation fund. In the acute stages medical aid kicks in to ensure speedy access to care, but medical aids can then claim from NSSA if one uses his medical aid for a workplace injury.”
All this shows how important it is for the country to have an accident fund.
The convenience will not only benefit those involved in accidents but also the whole country.
Road traffic accident insurance is essential to ensure that victims of accidents have access to proper healthcare and financial protection.
By having insurance coverage, individuals can receive the medical treatment they need without having to worry about the cost, allowing them to focus on their recovery and rehabilitation.
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