'Reverse doctors' fees hike,' says CCZ

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe has described the hike in medical tariffs as unilateral and insensitive, calling on government to nullify the tariff increase.

However the Zimbabwe Medical Association said the new tariff structure was long overdue as consultations were done two years ago.

A new fee structure announced last Friday immediately pushed general Practioners consultation fees by almost 100 percent.

CCZ said the hike was unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr Paul Chimedza yesterday defended the recent hike of doctors' consultation fees, arguing that since the introduction of the multi-currency regime no review had been made while medical aid societies had been allowed to increase subscriptions four times.

Dr Chimedza said it was important to allow medical doctors to hike fees as that would help retention in the wake of poor working conditions.

Non-constituency MP Dr Ruth Labode (MDC-T) had asked on the effect the increase would have on civil servants, most of whom she said would not afford.

Government increased medical consultation fees by more than 100 percent from $20 to $50, while specialists are now charging up to $120 from $60, a development  observers said threatened the existence of medical aid societies which could fail to cope with the increase.