A NURSE at the privately owned Mater Dei Hospital in
Bulawayo who was captured on CCTV taking a picture of a memo detailing charges
for Covid-19 patients admitted to the institution, has resigned.
The hospital had ordered the nurse to explain his actions
in writing.
The memo which is said to have been pinned on one of the
hospital’s wards went viral on social media on Thursday and the hospital
management conducted internal surveillance to discover who shared it with the
public.
Mr Xolani Sibanda was fingered as having leaked it.
Dated July 1, 2020, the memo from credit control to the
hospital’s departments, advised staff that Covid-19 patients attended at the
casualty ward would be required to pay US$60, US$3 000 for general ward and
critical patients needing admission in the Intensive Care Unit will have to
part with US$5 000.
The hospital’s human resources manager only identified as
Tembo, wrote to Mr Sibanda, demanding to know why he had taken photos of the
memorandum that has since gone viral.
“It has been brought to the attention of the management
that while you were rendering your services on the 1st of July 2020 in the high
dependency unit at 10PM, you were captured on the closed circuit television
camera taking a photograph of an internal memorandum, that was put on the staff
notice board which is located at the nurses’ station using your personal
cellphone,” reads Tembo’s letter.
“A review of the entire hospital footage was done and it
shows that you were the only individual who photographed the confidential
document on that day. May you explain in writing why you took a photograph of
the document that is strictly meant (for) internal purposes. The picture of the
document is currently circulating on social media platforms and you are
therefore required to submit your written explanation and show cause why
disciplinary action should not be taken against you.”
Mr Sibanda immediately resigned accusing the hospital
authorities of targeting him.
He said there is no evidence that he circulated the picture
on social media as the communication was publicly posted.
“That notice was pasted in the public, it’s just
unfortunate that where I was there were cameras. But it was bound to come out. I
took the picture because I never thought there was anything sinister in doing
so. Everyone was talking about that memorandum at the hospital. I was not
charged; I was meant to go for a hearing. To avoid victimisation, I resigned to
save myself,” he said.
Mr Sibanda declined to further comment saying he was
receiving unnecessary limelight.
A comment could not be obtained from management at Mater
Dei Hospital as they were said to be in meetings.
Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said
the matter had not come to his attention but investigations will be conducted
once the the ministry gets the necessary information.
Commenting on the cost of Covid-19 treatment at the Roman
Catholic-owned private hospital, public health activist and executive director
of Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) Mr Itai Rusike said medical
facilities should be sensitive to communities they serve. “The Covid-19
response must apply the principles of universal health coverage and
multi-sectoral collaboration that should include the private health
institutions. No one should face financial barriers that prevent access to
appropriately prioritised testing or treatment,” said Mr Rusike.
He said the hospital should also abide by World Health
Organisation guidelines.
Mr Rusike said Government should take action to ensure that
private hospitals abide by international guildelines.
“The WHO has recommended that all user fees for all health
care should be suspended at least for the period of the pandemic and
entitlement to health care should be made universal and unconditional
regardless of the ability to pay. We urge the Government of Zimbabwe to provide
practical support to implement this advice,” said Mr Rusike. Chronicle
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