By Kuda Pembere
Zimbabweans may have to wait longer for the long-awaited National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, as its draft bill is now expected to be presented to Parliament in June.
With fewer than 10% of Zimbabweans covered by medical insurance, the Health Ministry has debated the NHI for decades without implementation.
In March last year, Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora indicated that the NHI would be introduced in July. By May, he said it would be tabled before Parliament that same July. Reviving this commitment, the minister told journalists last Friday that June is now the new target for submission.
The Ministry is expediting the establishment of a National Health Insurance Scheme. A draft bill is already in place, and we expect to take it to Parliament by June this year,” he said.
The principles of Zimbabwe’s NHI Fund have already been approved by Cabinet.
However, experts emphasize the need to address administrative inefficiencies, ensure equitable resource distribution, and secure stakeholder buy-in for the scheme’s success. Drawing lessons from regional models like Rwanda, Ghana, and Kenya, Zimbabwe has an opportunity to design an NHI that effectively meets citizens’ healthcare needs without creating a financial burden.
