Faith Mhandu

Scores of patients whose medical bills are paid by the State under the social welfare pro­gramme are being denied treatment at selected public hospitals after the Government failed to settle outstanding payments, it has been estab­lished.
Information gathered last week shows that the patients are being turned away with offi­cials at the health centres blaming Govern­ment for failing to settle their bills.

Parirenyatwa Hospital is detaining those who fail to pay, even in instances where a doc­tor would have recommended their dis­charge.
The situation is the same at Harare Central Hospital where only those with particular ail­ments are being treated.
It is understood Parirenyatwa seeks to recover a US$1,5 million debt.

Labour and Social Welfare Minister Ms Pau­rina Mpariwa confirmed that less-privi­leged patients were being barred from treat­ment.

She conceded the health institutions were owed “a lot of money”.
“It is true, we owe Gov­ernment hospitals. I understand that might be the reason why social welfare patients are being turned away,” she said.  “We, as Government, should do some­thing as soon as possible since it is badly affect­ing our citizens who desperately need our assis­tance,” she added.

Health and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora, however, said his office is yet to receive the reports.
Dr Mombeshora said it is illegal for hospi­tals to detain or deny patients treatment.
“The reports have not yet reached our offices, but we encourage both public and pri­vate hospitals not to detain or turn away patients for any reason. Such issues should be reported to our ministry so that we investigate and deal with those found on the wrong side of the law. Hospitals should make a follow-up with the responsible authorities and stop turn­ing away patients,” he said.

Harare Central Hospital public relations offi­cer Mrs Miriam Mangeya could not be reached for a comment as her phone went unanswered. Parirenyatwa Hospital public relations officer Mrs Jane Dadzi said the hospi­tal required funding to keep running.
She said patients suffering from specific medical conditions were being asked to pay for treatment because the ailments were not cov­ered under social welfare.
“To be honest, the hospital needs money to continue running. Social Welfare owes us more than US$1,5 million.

“I think it is prudent for them to tell the nation when they last settled their bill.”
Chitungwiza Hospital chief executive Dr Obadiah Moyo, however, said the situation was different at his hospital with social welfare patients owing less than cash patients.

“We actually prefer dealing with social wel­fare patients because we can easily locate them and claim our money from the responsible authority. We have a good relationship with the social welfare,” said Dr Moyo.
Ms Cloty Chikazhe, who was seeking treat­ment at Parirenyatwa Hospital, said authorities at the health institution gave her a backdated bill, which she thought had already been cov­ered by social welfare.

“Social welfare has been helpful, especially to us cancer patients, because the treatment is so expensive.
“However, demanding cash from us has left the majority of us in the cold,” she said.
Another patient who preferred anonymity said: “The doctors said I am fit for discharge, but I have been told that I cannot leave the hos­pital because my bill, which is supposed to be paid by Government, has not been settled.”