Private hospitals have increased their tariffs by an astronomical 20% in a development that could result in an increase in premiums patients pay to medical aid societies.
Report by Phillip Chidavaenzi
The increase followed a resolution by the Private Hospitals Association of Zimbabwe (PHAZ).
PHAZ vice-chairperson Margaret Maulana, yesterday confirmed the increase in tariffs saying her organisation had agreed on the rise in August.
“It is something that we agreed on sometime in August and was supposed to be effected today (Monday) although I am not sure yet if our members have started implementing the resolution,” she said.
An executive with one of the medical aid societies said they did not understand the reason behind such an increase at a time when inflation was hovering below 4% yet medical inflation was pegged at 8%.
“Of course, medical inflation is higher than the general inflation, but still that does not justify a 20% increase. Already industry is struggling and how many companies and employees will be able to meet the increase?” the source queried.
She added that it was disturbing that the decision to increase the premiums was effected suddenly without first engaging medical aid societies.
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Association of Health Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) chief executive officer Shylet Sanyanga said: “We have heard as a rumour that they intend to do that. We are also still trying to find out from our members (medical aid societies) whether or not they have been asked to pay extra. If they have effected the increase, it means they are asking patients to pay extra in cash.”
She added that with the huge increment, it had become cheaper for locals to go and seek medical treatment in countries like India. At the AHFoZ 2012 All-Stakeholders’ Conference in Victoria Falls last month, it was noted that only 7% of the population was employed which was negatively impacting on healthcare funding.
It was also highlighted that only 8% of the country’s population was currently on health insurance.
PHAZ members include most private hospitals such as St Anne’s, Baines Avenue, Belvedere Maternity and West End hospitals in Harare as well as Mater Dei in Bulawayo and South Medical in Chitungwiza.
