Zimbabwe promises free healthcare for all

Zimbabweans could soon access free treatment at Government hospitals and other public health institutions under a proposed National Health Fund Bill that is being finalised by Government.

Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora revealed the development in the Senate on Thursday, saying the proposed legislation would create a national health financing mechanism designed to ensure universal access to healthcare services.

The Bill, which is expected to be presented to Cabinet before being tabled in Parliament, seeks to replace the concept of a National Health Insurance scheme with what Government is now calling the National Health Fund.

According to Dr Mombeshora, the fund will be financed partly through taxes collected from products such as cigarettes and alcohol, with the revenue directed towards strengthening the public health system and covering treatment costs for citizens.

"We have a Government policy that those who are disadvantaged and do not have money must go to social services and get their dues paid," Mombeshora told the Senate.

"We also have the initiative which is going to come shortly to this August House. We started it as a National Health Insurance, but now we are calling it the National Health Fund Bill. We came up with the final draft last week and this week I have written a letter to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation. From there it will go to Cabinet and then Parliament."

The minister said the proposed legislation would guarantee access to treatment at public health institutions for all Zimbabweans.

"In that Bill, every citizen in Zimbabwe must be able to be treated in all Government hospitals for free.

"It is not totally free because we are taking some tax from cigarettes and alcohol, which are causing harm to people, and using that money to improve our health system," he said.

The announcement came in response to questions raised by Robson Mavhenyengwa regarding access to newly acquired cancer treatment equipment and how patients from remote communities would benefit from the services.

Dr Mombeshora said Government was simultaneously working to decentralise specialised healthcare services, particularly cancer treatment, to reduce the burden on patients who currently travel long distances to access care.

He revealed that a new radiotherapy machine has already been installed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, while installation of another machine at Mpilo Central Hospital is approximately 85 percent complete.

"The new machine which arrived has already been installed at Parirenyatwa. Another one is about 85 percent installed in Bulawayo," he said.

The minister added that the radiotherapy machine being replaced at Mpilo Hospital would be relocated to Gweru as part of a broader strategy to expand cancer treatment services across the country.

Government is also increasing efforts to address the shortage of specialist radio-oncologists by training experts locally through the University of Zimbabwe.

Mombeshora said the long-term goal is to establish cancer treatment facilities in every province, with plans already underway to develop cancer treatment infrastructure in Masvingo under a Presidential health infrastructure programme.

In addition, Government recently closed a tender process for cancer diagnostic equipment, including CT scanners and ultrasound machines, aimed at improving early detection and diagnosis.

"These machines must be found in every provincial hospital. We are also installing machines that are going to examine the types of cancer from the samples taken from people," he said.

The minister warned that cancer cases continue to rise and stressed the importance of prevention through healthier lifestyles, improved nutrition and greater public awareness.

"Cancer is one of the non-communicable diseases, but it is also a lifestyle disease. We are taking this opportunity to sensitise people and encourage them to eat traditional foods," he said.

"I want to promise this House that in the near future we are going to have many cancer treatment centres and machines for testing."

If enacted, the National Health Fund Bill would represent one of the most significant reforms to Zimbabwe's healthcare financing system, with Government aiming to reduce financial barriers to treatment while improving access to specialised medical services nationwide.