HARARE residents should brace themselves for a hike in healthcare services as the City came up with increased tariffs to be effected beginning of August.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
Prior to these price upward adjustment, a consultation fee was affordably pegged at ZW$5 whereas by August 1, patients might have to part with ZWL$20. Children’s consultation fees were once ZW$3 and might be ZW$10.
The maternity fees were ZW$25 but the City proposed ZW$120. Hospital fees will go up from ZW$10 to ZW$50 for adults while parents and guardians now pay ZW$25 for their children.
Announcing the budget, Harare City Chairperson of Finance and Development Councillor Luckson Mukunguma said following the monetary and fiscal changes in Zimbabwe, the current 2019 revenue and capital budget have been severely diminished which prompted the supplementary budget.
“Your Worship. Access to affordable healthcare for our residents remain a priority for the City. In the face of the current economic challenges we propose very minimum revision of the relevant fees,” he said.
Harare has 12 polyclinics comprising of Primary Care Clinic, Family Health Services and Maternity Unit. It also has a substantial number of satellite clinics.
There are two Hospitals controlled by the City Fathers namely Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital and Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital.