Zimbabweans should brace for new tariffs from the medical practitioners after a leaked document showed proposed charges pegged in United States dollars.
The document, which was widely circulated on social media platforms, had a list of proposed tariffs, with initial consultation fees to a general practitioner pegged at US$35 (or equivalent) and subsequent visits at US$30. At current rates, that would amount to slightly above $100 in bond notes or electronic transfer.
A visit to the dentist, if the tariffs are approved, would be pegged at US$30, while paediatricians would charge a consultation fee of US$100 and US$70 for reviews.
Consulting a gynaecologist would cost US$50, while orthopaedics and general surgeons would charge US$80.
The Zimbabwe Medical Association (Zima) said the organisation was still consulting with its membership on the proposed tariffs.
In a statement, Zima secretary-general Sacrifice Chirima said the new recommendations would be communicated officially.
“Consultations are underway regarding tariffs and once the Zima national tariffs and liason committee consolidates all recommendations from branches and affiliate associations as well as concludes negotiations with AHfoZ [Association of the Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe], it will communicate the agreed tariffs,” he said.
Meanwhile, other stakeholders have expressed grave concern over the proposed new tariffs.
“The proposed new tariff system opens the door for a cash payment that will inevitably increase in size annually defeating the point of prepayments to medical aid,” said Community Working Group on Health director Itai Rusike.
