New Medical Bill set for scrutiny

Private hospitals and health institutions in Zimbabwe will soon be legally required to admit patients in life-threatening conditions for at least 48 hours - regardless of their financial status - under the proposed Medical Services Amendment Bill.

The Bill, which went through its Second Reading in the National Assembly last Thursday, aims to align the existing Medical Services Act with the Constitution, which guarantees healthcare as a fundamental right for all citizens.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora told legislators that the proposed amendments ensure access to emergency medical care for everyone, irrespective of their ability to pay.

"It is important to note that the Medical Services Amendment Bill is about alignment of the Medical Services Act with the Constitution on health issues," said Dr Mombeshora. "The definition of emergency medical treatment is broad and all-encompassing, covering areas such as maternal and neonatal health."

Clause Seven of the Bill specifically prohibits private hospitals from refusing emergency treatment. It states that any private health institution must admit a patient whose condition poses an immediate danger to life for a minimum of 48 hours to stabilise the patient before referring them to a public hospital, if necessary.

The clause reads: "A private health institution shall admit any patient who is suffering from a condition which causes an immediate danger to the life of the patient for a period of not less than 48 hours for the purpose of stabilising the patient before transferring him or her to a Government health institution which has the capacity to provide the required medical treatment or care, if he or she is unable to afford treatment on the same terms and conditions as other patients."

Additionally, the Bill empowers the Minister of Health to request that a private hospital provide specialist services unavailable at public facilities in cases of emergency. The State may enter into cost-recovery arrangements with the private institution to cover the treatment provided.

Clause Three of the Bill also mandates that all health institutions - both public and private - provide medical treatment to persons under arrest or detention at the State's expense, unless the individual opts to pay privately.

Another provision requires every health institution to establish and publicise a formal complaints procedure for patients.

Furthermore, the Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care will be granted powers to impose sanctions on institutions or practitioners that violate the Act. In serious cases, the Permanent Secretary may file disciplinary complaints or initiate proceedings to suspend or cancel an institution's registration.

The Bill will now move to the Committee Stage, where legislators will examine its clauses in detail before it can proceed to final approval.