Medical consultation fees double

By Tererai Karimakwenda
05 July 2006

About three months ago the cost of private medical care went up by a drastic 240 percent to average Z$2.5 million for a consultation. At the time we reported that health services had gone beyond the reach of most Zimbabweans. But as inflation has continued to soar, the National Association of Medical Aid Societies (NAMAS) announced on Tuesday that they have been forced to hike medical subscription costs by 85% and consultations at clinics and hospitals by 100%. This means Zimbabweans on medical aid will now be paying an average of Z$4 million per month. According to the Zimonline news site the chairperson of the Medical Aid Societies Florence Kazhanje blamed the latest fee hike on Zimbabwe's hyper-inflationary environment. The report quoted Bulawayo residents who said they had no option but to quit their private health care scheme.

The latest increase means nothing to the majority of Zimbabweans who have never had private health care. The costs went out of reach for them a long time ago and the government institutions have no medication or supplies or equipment. The situation is even worse for the internally displaced families who are forced to live under very unhealthy conditions. They have no safe running water and cases of malnutrition are rife due to the ongoing food shortages. Reports say most of those who get ill just die wherever they are, without access to any medical assistance at all.