Patients admitted in certain wards, including those on cancer treatment at Parirenyatwa General Hospital, will now have to fork out between $50 to $185 before they can be admitted, raising fears that many will not be able to access medical attention.
By Phyllis Mbanje
In a communication from the director of finance, one Mrs S Sanzira — dated June 5 and copied to all accounts clerks and pasted at entry points, all patients in wards C4, C5,C6,C7,C8,C9, oncology chemotherapy, oncology radiotherapy and A5 above five years, were, from June 8 required to pay a deposit before being admitted.
“All medical patients admitted to the following wards will be required to pay a medical fees deposit on admission,” reads the communique.
Confirming the development, chief executive officer of the institution Thomas Zigora, however, said this had been necessitated by the need to provide adequate medication for the patients.
He said they had put this measure in place to facilitate smooth running of the facility in terms of providing quality service.
“This will ensure that there is enough money to buy the drugs for the patient and will also curtail errant patients who after being treated do not bother to come back and pay for the treatment,” Zigora said.
