Harare Residents Urge Government to Regularise Hospital Charges.
Pauline Chateuka
Harare residents have raised worrying concerns over fees being charged by private hospitals and have called on the government to intervene through regularising hospital charges.
“Government needs to regularise fees being charged by private hospitals offering COVID-19 treatment. Some of the health institutions are charging up to US$1 000 per night” said Christine Kaseke.
“The number of people who are dying of COVID-19 is increasing daily because ordinary citizens cannot afford private hospitals while public hospital such as Parirenyatwa are already overwhelmed.” said Cecilia Nyavanhu.
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said its high time the Ministry of Health and Child Care should intervene and regulate private hospitals to charge affordable fees for COVID-19 patients.
Private clinics such as Avenues Clinic are allegedly charging from US$800 to US$1 000 per day in the intensive care unit.
