“How will poor Zimbabweans afford basic healthcare?”
That question from Daveson Masvisvi Member of Parliament for the Gokwe Central constituency opened a lively debate in Parliament on Wednesday, with MPs raising concerns over the cost of healthcare, the availability of medicines in public hospitals and the burden on vulnerable Zimbabweans.
Masvisvi asked the Ministry of Health and Child Care what plans were in place to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs for people who cannot afford basic medical care.
Deputy Health and Child Care Minister Sleiman Kwidini said the Government was developing a National Health Insurance scheme that would cover all Zimbabweans, including those without medical aid.
“Most of our population does not fall under medical aid schemes, so as the Ministry we are currently working on what we call National Health Insurance, which is going to cater for each and every citizen in Zimbabwe in terms of affording healthcare,” Kwidini said.
He said the scheme would not require Zimbabweans to make individual contributions.
“There are already existing taxes which are going to contribute to this National Health Insurance, which will actually subsidise the medical healthcare system to all citizens of Zimbabwe.”
Masvisvi then turned to another concern.
“What specific steps is the Ministry taking to ensure essential medicines and medical supplies are constantly available in public hospitals and clinics?” he asked.
Kwidini said medicine availability depended on the health budget and Treasury’s release of funds.
“This usually comes with the budget we have and the disbursement of funds we have to procure what is actually required by the hospitals, especially medicines and other supplies to use.”
The discussion later shifted to the plight of elderly Zimbabweans.
Blessing Ropafadzo Makumire said people living with chronic illnesses were struggling to obtain medication.
“Our worry is where those funds are going if we are not able to assist elderly people with medication for chronic diseases like blood pressure, diabetes and other related ailments that affect the elderly. This question is being asked all over the country. The elderly want to know what the Government is doing about their fate,” Makumire said.
He then asked:
“Why is medication for the elderly not available in hospitals? Why is it not sold at affordable prices?”
Kwidini rejected the assertion, saying medicines for chronic illnesses were available in public health institutions.
“Medication for chronic illnesses is available in hospitals, even in rural hospitals… they call us saying their elderly people are getting medication for free,” he said.
Makumire maintained that reports from communities told a different story.
“The meetings that we hold with the elderly people show that there is no medication which is being availed to them. Again, the question that came from Hon. Members from your right says there is no medication. Now we do not know where we stand as a country. We are seeking your intervention in that regard,” he said.
The Temporary Speaker urged MPs to provide specific details of hospitals experiencing shortages.
“If you have experienced otherwise, it is okay for you to also put it in writing and specify exactly where that kind of situation occurs, so that then the Deputy Minister and his team can go and do investigations upon that,” the Speaker said.