By Michael Gwarisa
The prevailing inflationary environment has eroded the value of local currency-denominated medical aid packages, resulting in claims for Spectacles going through the ceiling over the past 12 months.
While the volume of annual spectacle claims has been declining over the period 2021 to 2023, the same cannot be said about the values of both foreign currency and local currency-denominated spectacle claims.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with HealthTimes, Association of Healthcare Funders Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) Chief Executive Officer, Ms Shylet Sanyanga said volumes of annual spectacles claims have been declining over the period 2021 to 2023.
However, the values of both foreign currency and local currency-denominated spectacle claims per annum have been increasing over the period 2021 to 2023. Local currency-denominated spectacles claims increased from Z$ 562 million in 2021 to about Z$ 10.4 billion in 2023. Nevertheless, the huge nominal increase in ZWL values is attributed to inflation,” said Ms Sanyanga.
Foreign currency denominated claims on the other hand increased 32% between 2021 and 2023. In 2021 the value was US$2.8 million while in 2023 it was estimated at US$3.7 million.
“The volume of spectacles claims declined by 28.2% between the period 2021 to 2022 from an estimated 67,180 spectacles claims to 48,234 claims. Declined by 22.6% between the periods 2022 to 2023 from an estimated 48,234 claims to 37,324 spectacles claims.”
In terms of age groups presenting with spectacles-related claims, adults aged 40 – 60 years account for 41.2% of spectacles claims while 18 – 40-year-olds account for 30.7% of spectacles claims.
“Over 60 years account for 16% of spectacles claims. Children below 18 years account for 11.8% of spectacles claims,” added Ms Sanyanga.
Zimbabwe also witnessed an increase in the volume of spectacle claims during the COVID-19 period mainly among tertiary institution students largely due to prolonged time on computer screens during online or virtual lessons sessions.
According to AHFoZ, the volume or number of spectacle claims was highest at the peak of the COVID-19 period in 2021 when a total of 67, 180 claims were made. In 2022, following the relaxation of COVID-19 regulations and the resumption of face-to-face studies, claims went down to 48,234 before declining further to 37,324 in the year 2023.
Meanwhile, health economists have expressed fear over the recent move by the Zimbabwean government to impose a 15 percent tax on spectacle frames and lenses. This tax is projected to push the price of spectacles up.
