Stakeholders have shot down a proposal that would stop medical aid societies from owning and running hospitals and clinics. They say this move would make healthcare even more expensive for everyday Zimbabweans.
Rejected amendment
Rejected amendment
- A proposed change to Statutory Instrument 330 of 2000 was strongly opposed.
- The change would prevent medical aid societies from owning healthcare facilities.
- Most stakeholders argued it would hurt access to affordable healthcare for ordinary people.
- Medical aid societies help bridge gaps in medical fees, easing costs for patients.
- Without this option, patients would face steeper charges and out-of-pocket expenses.
- The proposal could increase the burden on civil servants, especially those with modest salaries.
- Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo called the proposal selfish and unfair.
- Private service providers charge more than the AHFoZ rate, creating unaffordable gaps for patients.
- Dongo warned that the amendment goes against the national Vision 2030 agenda for affordable healthcare.
- Premier Service Medical Aid Society’s facilities offer co-payment-free services to civil servants.
- These facilities have been a crucial support for workers who earn in Zimbabwean dollars.
- If banned, members would be forced to turn to expensive private hospitals.
- Some stakeholders argued the ban would kill competition and limit patient options.
- They urged the government to reject the amendment, saying it would worsen public healthcare access.
