adminHarare Bureau
THE government should take measures that ensure healthcare services are accessible and affordable to all citizens through pro-poor policies and legislation, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has said.Speaking to journalists in Harare on Friday on medical tariffs approved by the government recently, ZLHR programme manager Dzimbabwe Chimbwa said access to health services should be all-inclusive.
He said the government should reverse the tariff hike. “Most Zimbabweans cannot afford the new fees gazetted. This is worsened by the fact that the new fees are not matched by any general increase in income for the generality of the population,” said Chimbwa.
Chimbwa said people without health insurance, those with chronic illnesses, and the elderly would be most affected.
“Invariably, the cost will be passed onto the patients whose lives and health are placed in further jeopardy by this arbitrary increase on healthcare costs,” he said.
Section 76 of the Constitution requires government to progressively realise the right to access to quality and affordable healthcare.
Defending the increases, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr Paul Chimedza said said anyone who could afford private healthcare should not use public institutions.
Ordinary people have expectedly opposed the increase.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter