The Sunday Mail
Brian Chitemba Investigations Editor
Patients are paying thousands of dollars to be scanned at private health institutions while some new equipment that is used for the procedures has been lying idle for months at Harare Central Hospital. The equipment, which includes a magnetic resonance imaging machine, computerised tomograph (CT scan) and two X-ray machines, was recently sourced by Government from China under a US$100 million facility tailored to benefit Zimbabwe’s referral hospitals.
It was supposed to make screening affordable.
Private institutions charge between US$500 and US$1 500 for a CT scan whereas the same is about US$200 at Government facilities.
An MRI and X-ray scan cost as much as US$700 and US$200 respectively at private facilities while State-run entities charge no more than US$200 and US$20.
Sources at Harare Central Hospital told The Sunday Mail that patients are forking out thousands instead at private institutions.
The hospital’s chief executive, Mrs Peggy Zvavamwe, confirmed the equipment is idle, but declined discussing the matter further.
“The issue is in the hands of the Ministry (of Health and Child Care) and I cannot comment on that. I think the issue has to do with the delivery processes which haven’t been completed,” she said.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa was actually suprised to hear that the equipment is not being utilised, referring The Sunday Mail back to Mrs Zvavamwe.
Our sources said, “There are fears that the machines’ warranty will eventually expire before they are used. It has taken over six months to have the equipment working. Why? Who is hiding what or who is benefiting from such an anomaly?” queried a source who cannot be named for professional reasons.
“There is also suspicion that the delay in using the equipment could be because some officials with links with private players are deliberating sabotaging so that patients keep feeding the private service providers. Something must be done to assist patients as soon as possible.”
Patients interviewed by this publication appealed to Government for intervention.
“We strongly appeal to Government to ensure the machines start working because many of us cannot afford exorbitant fees charged by private clinics for the scans.
“Some people may struggle to raise the money to get the scans done, resulting in unnecessary loss of life therefore it’s important that we have the machines at Gomo (Harare Central Hospital) working,” said Mr Norman Gwatiringa of Harare.
