News / Health
Free medical care for under 5, over 65, pregnant women
28 Feb 2013 at 14:35hrs | Views
Minister Madzorera
PREGNANT women, children under five years and those above 65 years of age will, from today, receive free medical care at all rural health centres countrywide after Government scrapped user fees.
This means the groups would receive free medical care under the User Fee Policy.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the US$17,1 million issued by the European Commission towards the revitalisation of Zimbabwe's health sector, Health and Child Welfare Minister Henry Madzorera said the User Fee Policy was expected to help Zimbabwe achieve its Millennium Development Goals.
"The Government of Zimbabwe, through our Ministry, is once again committed to achieving free access to healthcare for pregnant and lactating women, children under five years and the elderly above 65 years," Minister Madzorera said.
"We have now created an adequate pool of resources that will allow us to eliminate user fees, starting with clinics in the rural areas where our populations suffer most inequity in terms of access to quality care."
He said the elimination of user fees would also move to district hospitals and urban clinics.
Minister Madzorera acknowledged efforts made by the Health Transition Fund which made it possible for the Government to reinforce the policy by providing funds and other resources.
"The HTF is a multiple-donor pooled funding mechanism to support the health system in Zimbabwe. The EC has been one of the major funders of the HTF, and I am pleased today to announce the EC contribution of US$17,1 million to support activities of the fund during 2013.
"We also acknowledge the other funding partners of the HTF, the governments of Canada, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
"For 2013, we now have a total of US$56 million and this includes the EC contribution we are announcing today."
Zimbabwe's Maternal Mortality Rate is at 960 per 100 000 and under five mortality has increased from 79 to 84 per 1 000 live births, according to the latest Demography and Health Survey.
Minister Madzorera said HTF's objective was to enable the ministry reduce the MMR and the infant and child mortality rates.
"We are racing against the clock to reach the MDG Number 4 of reducing mortality of children under five by two thirds, and Goal 5 of reducing the maternal mortality rate by three quarters."
Head of Young Child Survival and Development Dr Abou Kambo said HTF has achieved critical results in improving the health sector.
"HTF has been funding the maternal revitalisation programme from 2012 and this year is the second year," said Mr Kambo.
"We will continue working with the Zimbabwean Government in strengthening the maternal health and nutrients to achieve MDG number four and five."
There was confusion last year over the scrapping of maternity fees at Government hospitals and council clinics as health institutions that were implementing the policy ended up making patients pay because they were incurring losses.
This means the groups would receive free medical care under the User Fee Policy.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the US$17,1 million issued by the European Commission towards the revitalisation of Zimbabwe's health sector, Health and Child Welfare Minister Henry Madzorera said the User Fee Policy was expected to help Zimbabwe achieve its Millennium Development Goals.
"The Government of Zimbabwe, through our Ministry, is once again committed to achieving free access to healthcare for pregnant and lactating women, children under five years and the elderly above 65 years," Minister Madzorera said.
"We have now created an adequate pool of resources that will allow us to eliminate user fees, starting with clinics in the rural areas where our populations suffer most inequity in terms of access to quality care."
He said the elimination of user fees would also move to district hospitals and urban clinics.
Minister Madzorera acknowledged efforts made by the Health Transition Fund which made it possible for the Government to reinforce the policy by providing funds and other resources.
"The HTF is a multiple-donor pooled funding mechanism to support the health system in Zimbabwe. The EC has been one of the major funders of the HTF, and I am pleased today to announce the EC contribution of US$17,1 million to support activities of the fund during 2013.
"For 2013, we now have a total of US$56 million and this includes the EC contribution we are announcing today."
Zimbabwe's Maternal Mortality Rate is at 960 per 100 000 and under five mortality has increased from 79 to 84 per 1 000 live births, according to the latest Demography and Health Survey.
Minister Madzorera said HTF's objective was to enable the ministry reduce the MMR and the infant and child mortality rates.
"We are racing against the clock to reach the MDG Number 4 of reducing mortality of children under five by two thirds, and Goal 5 of reducing the maternal mortality rate by three quarters."
Head of Young Child Survival and Development Dr Abou Kambo said HTF has achieved critical results in improving the health sector.
"HTF has been funding the maternal revitalisation programme from 2012 and this year is the second year," said Mr Kambo.
"We will continue working with the Zimbabwean Government in strengthening the maternal health and nutrients to achieve MDG number four and five."
There was confusion last year over the scrapping of maternity fees at Government hospitals and council clinics as health institutions that were implementing the policy ended up making patients pay because they were incurring losses.
Source - TH
