With most Government hospitals already overwhelmed by
Covid-19 patients, the only hope available for those needing treatment is
private care, whose costs have spiralled beyond the reach of many.
A survey carried out by The Sunday Mail over the last few
days revealed that the cost of admission of a Covid-19 patient at private
clinics such as West End and Avenues Clinic is ranging from US$800 to US$1 000
per day in the intensive care unit (ICU). Montagu Clinic, which operates under
Avenues Clinic in Harare, caters for five-day admissions and is reportedly
charging US$3 500 for a general ward, US$5 100 for its high-dependence unit
(HDU), US$4 000 for a private ward and US$7 600 for the intensive care unit
(ICU). Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo is demanding a deposit of US$5 000 for
patients who need ICU hospitalisation, an eye watering amount.
Most Covid-19 patients now have bills running into
thousands of US dollars, while some patients are losing their lives after opting
out of the private hospitals.
Chief co-ordinator of the National Response to the Covid-19
in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva, said the
Government would look into the issue. She said while charging Covid-19 patients
was an administrative issue on the part of the Ministry of Health and Child
Care, it was the Government that gives permission to private hospitals to test
and treat Covid-19 patients.
“Since this is a global pandemic, the Government roped in
the private sector to help in treating and testing of Covid-19 patients. We
encourage people to go to the public health institutions and follow the correct
channels, they will receive help,” she said.
The Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe
Association (MDPPZA), a body of medical practitioners in private practice, said
the charges were justified.
MDPPZA president Dr Johannes Marisa said healthcare workers
treating coronavirus patients faced extraordinary risks to themselves and their
families.
“Inputs needed to manage and treat a Covid-19 patient are
very expensive, especially the procurement of oxygen. We are not funded by
anybody and in essence we are left with little to nothing after treatment of a
Covid-19 patient,” he said.
Dismissing the allegations of profiteering, Dr Marisa said:
“We provide research-backed cutting-edge care and our outcomes are comparable
to the best. This does make Covid-19 care expensive.”
Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) — a grouping of
civic and community-based health organisations, said the Government needs to
urgently regularise fees being charged by private hospitals.
CWGH executive director Mr Itai Rusike said, “The Ministry
of Health and Child Care should intervene by making regulations for reasonable
fees payable to private hospitals for management and treatment of Covid-19
patients.”
Health expert Dr Kennedy Nyiranda, a private practitioner,
said it is unethical for hospitals to ask for a deposit before offering
healthcare given that Covid-19 is a global pandemic.
“There is really no need to ask for money upfront when
someone has medical aid; you can’t let people die just like that,” he said,
adding that it was time the private sector was monitored and their pricing
capped to protect patients. Sunday Mail
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