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Message: [QUOTE="Queen, post: 87327, member: 27"] 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 [LIST] [*]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. [/LIST] Impact on costs and access [LIST] [*]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. [/LIST] Concerns over fairness [LIST] [*]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. [/LIST] Medical aid facilities’ role [LIST] [*]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. [/LIST] Long-term consequences [LIST] [*]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. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

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