VICE-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has warned hospitals
which are demanding Covid-19 clearance certificates from people seeking medical
services as well as those capitalising on the global pandemic to charge exorbitant
fees saying Government will soon take corrective action.
The turning away of patients without Covid-19 clearance
certificates is reportedly happening across the country at both private and
public hospitals.
A Covid-19 test certificate is beyond the reach of many as
PCR test cost between US$20 and US$65 at private institutions while at public
institutions it’s free for people identified during contact tracing.
VP Chiwenga, who was recently appointed Health and Child
Care Minister, also promised a new era in the country’s healthcare system,
saying there would be massive restructuring of the health sector.
The Vice-President was recently assigned an additional task
of taking charge of the Health Ministry which is under the spotlight because of
the Covid-19 pandemic.
The country had by Wednesday recorded 122 Covid-19 deaths
and 4 893 confirmed cases.
The country’s situation has been worsened by nurses that
are on strike demanding better salaries.
Speaking during a tour of Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme
in Binga on Thursday, VP Chiwenga said health institutions should prioritise
the protection of human lives.
“Government is aware of some hospitals which are turning
away patients seeking medical help by demanding Covid-19 test certificates. Some
hospitals are also taking advantage of the pandemic to charge exorbitant fees
and we are saying that should stop,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga said Government will soon demand an explanation
from hospitals which have been turning away patients or charging exorbitant
fees. “No one has authority or right to turn away any person seeking help and
we will be taking tough measures,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga said hospitals should not take advantage of the
Covid-19 pandemic to profiteer at the expense of people’s lives.
VP Chiwenga said Government is also in the process of
procuring more PPE and testing kits.
“Let’s work together, Government on its part is buying more
equipment, PPE and PCR test kits,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga said Government was also working on equipping
all hospitals including rural health centres.
“A healthy society means development. If we can’t keep our
people healthy then we can’t develop our country,” he said.
VP Chiwenga said the country’s healthcare system is set for
massive restructuring and reform.
“We want to rebuild the structures from village, district,
provincial to referral hospitals. We must work together to address challenges
faced in the health sector,” he said.
The clean-up of the country’s health sector, Dr Chiwenga
said, is being done together with the Health Services Board and other
ministries such as Finance and Economic Development.
“There will soon be massive restructuring of the Ministry
of Health and Child Care and we are doing this together with HSB and the
Finance Ministry. A further directive will come from the President after
Cabinet briefing,” he said.
Dr Chiwenga said Government was in the process of buying
the necessary equipment to make sure that all hospitals have the required
equipment to detect the virus so that correct interventions are done at an
early stage.
“We have created a red and green zone in our hospitals so
that once a person has been checked and is found positive, they are sent to the
red zone, where they will receive appropriate treatment,” he said.
VP Chiwenga said Government was concerned that Covid-19
cases continue to rise and urged people to adhere to WHO health guidelines.
“Our medical staff has done a lot and we have recorded more
than 1 000 recoveries but we want to control the spread of this virus hence the
need to strictly follow health guidelines such as simple hygiene of regularly
washing hands with soap and putting face masks in public places. When you have
no business to move around stay at home and that helps to contain the virus,”
he said.
VP Chiwenga said the country had recorded more than 100
Covid-19 deaths and more than 4 000 cases and there is need to stop the spread
of the virus and death of people.
President Mnangagwa appointed Vice-President Chiwenga as
new Health Minister after firing Dr Obadiah Moyo who is now facing fraud
charges. Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment