Private health sector charges are exorbitant

It is every individual's right to have access to the best quality medical care available in the country.

Amnesty International USA, states that, "Health care is a public good, not a commodity. Gaps in the health care system should be eliminated so that all communities, rich and poor have access to comprehensive quality treatment and services".

It is saddening, however, to note that some private health services providers are more concerned with making profits than providing health services. As a result, their services are increasingly becoming expensive such that the majority of the people in Zimbabwe who require treatment are incapable of accessing their services.

Of note also is the realization that currently, in Zimbabwe, the greater number of citizens does not have medical aid cover. These are the same people that require medical attention frequently.

The government's medical institutions are not able to cater for them all. Therefore, it is only humane for the private players to meet them halfway and cater for some of the people instead of only focusing on amassing obscene profits.

Whilst officially opening the Private Hospitals' Association of Zimbabwe Conference in Harare last week, Health and Child Care deputy minister, Paul Chimedza, called on the health sector to reduce the exorbitant charges that they are billing patients.

"We know you are working in a tough environment, but you have to be clear as to what you want to achieve.  What we want to achieve as government is that all our patients should be treated here locally, whether in the private or public sectors," he said.

Most people are now being forced to seek medical treatment outside the country where basic and essential health treatment is provided at lower cost compared to the local charges.

Furthermore, Health and Child Care Minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa, is spearheading the idea of construction of local specialists health centers with the aim of preventing patients from seeking similar services in foreign countries. It is imperative to note that, the more the specialists' health centers are constructed, the lesser the chances of patients moving out of the country in search for special treatment and any other medical services. This initiative by Government will go a long way in availing quality medical care to the country's citizens.

 In most African countries, including Zimbabwe, maternal mortality rates have been increasing due to inadequate resources, a situation that should not go unchecked.

However, it should be applauded and cherished that early this year the Government managed to slash maternity fees in private hospitals. The fees have been reduced from $750 to $126 for a normal delivery while theatre charges have also been slashed to $181 from $700 or more, which there used to charge.

Government should forge on with its effort of controlling the exorbitant tariffs being charged by the local private hospitals to ensure that all citizens enjoy their right to health care.