FULL TEXT: Cheapest Charges Being Levied On Expecting Mothers By Private Hospitals
With health caregivers in Zimbabwe’s public health institutions on industrial action since the 3rd of September this year, the ordinary person has faced challenges in getting medical attention.
Expecting mothers have also found themselves knocking at the doors of traditional midwives as clinics and hospitals have suspended the services.
At the same time, private medical practitioners whose prices for services are out of rich for the common person have indicated that they are overwhelmed by the crisis in the country. Harare Residents Trust conducted a snap survey which disclosed the following charges which are being levied on expecting mothers by the “cheapest private Hospitals”.
By Midwife:
- Booking USD$30
- Delivery USD$80
- Sundries USD$50
In Zimbabwean Dollars
- Booking $540
- Delivery $1440
- Sundries $750
By Doctor
- Booking USD$45
- Delivery USD$120
- Sundries USD$50
In Zimbabwean Dollars
- Booking $810
- Delivery $2160
- Sundries $750
Council Clinics consider giving birth as a national duty and that’s the reason why they charge a nominal fee. Yet at this moment they are on strike. The question is what about the poor? Where will they get all this money?
More: Harare Residents’ Trust