- The municipality increases clinic fees by 700%
- Govt yet to approve the 2019-2020 budget
THE proposed upward review of council hospital and clinic fees which will hinder smooth access to quality health for Harare residents.
Harare City Council (HCC) has proposed to increase health fees in a move designed to improve service delivery.
The consultation fees are currently pegged at ZWL50, while maternity fees are ZWL120.
Should government approve the proposed hike, maternity fees will skyrocket to ZWL600.
This development will likely result in an increase in mortality rate as pregnant women turn to unqualified mid-wives.
A Highfield resident, Wadzanai Gwenhe said most of the cases of maternal deaths are caused by women giving birth at home because they cannot afford proper healthcare.
“Maternal deaths in Zimbabwe are largely caused by delays in seeking medical attention as well as women giving birth at home,” she said.
In a snap survey done by the Zim Morning Post on Thursday, Harare residents are unlikely to see a resolution to the service delivery saga, amid continued fights between HCC and government.
HCC has reportedly been conducting all its business using collections based on the 2018 budget, implying it was still charging rates approved two years ago in a hyper-inflationary environment.
