THE government has been urged to expedite the finalisation and implementation of the Medical Aid Societies Regulatory Authority Bill to strengthen oversight and ensure the sustainability of Zimbabwe’s medical aid industry.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a dedicated statutory body to regulate medical aid societies, address weak regulatory frameworks and enhance protection for beneficiaries.
It also aims to separate regulation from service provision, enforce mandatory primary healthcare packages and curb profiteering within the sector.
In a statement yesterday, Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) chief executive Shylet Sanyanga said there was an urgent need to establish a dedicated regulatory authority focused on the unique dynamics of medical aid societies.
“The medical aid industry has remained resilient over the years. However, some governance issues have been raised recently. This triggered questions as to the effectiveness of the current regulatory framework,” she said.
“To address this challenge, the Ministry of Health and Child Care initiated the drafting of the Bill to introduce the medical aid societies’ regulatory authority. It was anticipated that this authority would strengthen governance of medical aid societies. Due to the “rub-on” effect, benefit the entire health sector and the nation.”
Keep Reading
- Exchange rate crisis hits medical aid societies
- ‘ZWG has brought stability to medical aid contributions’
- Adapt to aid cut effects: AHFoZ
- AHFoZ backs medical aid society regulation
Sanyanga said medical aid societies operated within the business of health and are primarily focused on promoting the wellbeing of their members.
“The core focus is on providing a holistic approach to the wellbeing of members, through prioritising prevention and wellness, treatment, and rehabilitation,” she said.
Sanyanga added that because medical aid societies operated within the health sector rather than financial services, governance improvements should be pursued within the same context.
“Therefore, the finalisation of the Bill to introduce a Medical Aid Societies Regulatory Authority would address the governance gaps without impacting on the major industry goals which are centred on people’s wellbeing,” she said.
Sanyanga also noted that the Health and Child Care ministry has a clear legal mandate under the Public Health Act [Chapter 15:17] to oversee all aspects of public health, including health financing and medical aid societies.
“Section 3 of the Act charges the ministry with broad responsibilities, including resource allocation and mobilisation of private health funding,” she said.
“Notably, the ministry’s Advisory Board of Public Health even reserves a seat for a representative of medical aid funders, underscoring that healthcare funders are intended to be part of the health sector governance framework.”
Sanyanga said retaining medical aid entities under the ministry aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy goals.
She also highlighted information gaps among stakeholders, which have led some to believe that simply changing regulators would resolve issues such as claim rejections or funding shortfalls.
“Some stakeholders compare medical aid with other insurances such as property and funeral yet there are distinct differences,” Sanyanga said.
“For example; claims for comprehensive car insurance incidents are few, while for funeral there is one incident in a lifetime per insured life. With medical aid there numerous incidents.”