Harare City Introduces Health Insurance

By Kudakwashe Pembere A community health insurance scheme covering several health services for Harare City’s citizens should be operational before the month ends, HealthTimes has learned. In an interview with the Harare Municipality Health Services Manager Mr Richard Chigerwe, he said the scheme was different from the Harare Municipality Medical Aid which covers their employees. He said residents will have to pay a monthly subscription of US$2 to access various healthcare services under the scheme named “Utano Wedu”. Harare Municipal Medical aid is a closed medical aid for City Council…

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Private Health Insurance (Medical Aid) and Huge Shortfalls in Zimbabwe: Policymakers playing ducks and drakes

By: Enock Musungwini, MPH, MBA Introduction A shortfall is the difference between what a health service provider charges for a patient’s treatment and what the medical insurance company will pay for that service. Shortfalls are sometimes presented as a co-payment, which is the gap between what the Private Health Insurance (PHI) company or medical aid pays to the health service provider for service rendered to the patient and what the health service provider will have charged the patient, known as a tariff. According to Suriyawongpaisal et al. (2016), huge shortfalls…

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Here is why Blood is expensive in Zim

For a long time, there has been disgruntlement from various sections of society over the highly priced precious liquid of blood in Zimbabwe. The bone of contention over years has been around the cost of blood and blood products despite the fact that the National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) gets blood free of charge from blood donors. By Michael Gwarisa In 2018, the Ministry of Health and Child (MoHCC), then under the regime of Dr David Parirenyatwa launched the Free Blood Initiative that would see pregnant women and vulnerable…

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#OPNION: Government Moves To Regulate Medical Aid Societies: This Doesn’t Sound Like A Very Brilliant Idea

GOVERNMENT recently announced that cabinet had deliberated and considered the submissions made on the Regulation of Medical Aid Space Societies as proposed in the Insurance and Pensions Commission Bill, which were presented by Vice President as Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Constantino Chiwenga. By Michael Gwarisa According to information minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, they had realised that since medical aid societies were not for profit enterprises and represent members’ efforts to pool funds to assist in covering health bills and expenses, it was best international practice for such…

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471 Health Service COVID-19 Insurance Claims Received To Date- HSB

THE Health Service Board (HSB) says it has received and processed a total 471 claims for cover from members of the Health Service in line with government’s pledge to cushion health care wokers against COVID-19 induced risks. By Staff Reporter In a statement, HSB Executive Chairman, Dr Paulinos Sikosana said  the COVID-19 Employer’s Liability Insurance was  approved in July 2020 to mitigate the social and economic impact of the disease to the affected and their families. The Insurance scheme is designed to give immediate cover to the affected members in…

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#COVID-19: Zim Cargo Truck Drivers Demand Risk Allowance and Health Insurance From Gvt

THE National Union of Transport Workers of Zimbabwe (NUTWZ) has written to government demanding payment of risk allowances and the setting up of  a special health insurance arrangement for truck drivers ferrying cargo to and from Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 induced national Lockdown period. By Michael Gwarisa In a letter addressed to the The Chairperson Covid19 Taskforce in the Office Of The President and Cabinet, NUTWZ, Mr N Gwande said even though the  union appreciates the unenviable work being done by the taskforce to manage the covid19 virus, there was…

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National Medical Aid Scheme Key To Universal Health Coverage

THE long overdue establishment of a National Health Insurance Scheme is crucial in achieving universal health coverage as Zimbabwe explores various ways to increase domestic funding for patching up the bleeding healthcare delivery system. By Kudakwashe Pembere This was recommended during the Universal Health Coverage celebrations hosted by the Community Working Group on Health in Harare on Wednesday. This submission comes at a time when resources in the health sector are heavily constrained with doctors on strike on one end, as well as the obtaining deterioration of the country’s healthcare…

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Health Insurance Cheaper Than Medical Aid In Zim

HEALTH insurance products on the Zimbabwean market are relatively cheaper compared to Medical Aid products. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, Insurance and Pension Council of Zimbabwe spokesperson, Mr Lyoyd Gumbo said even though the pricing of health insurance and medical aid products was reflective of the competition on the market, the former was relatively cheaper. “The available health insurance products being offered by the market are relatively cheaper compared to premiums being paid to medical aid schemes as the prices have been all inclusive to cater for…

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Its Legal For Banks,Retailers To Sale Health Insurance- IPEC

THE Insurance and Pension Commission of Zimbabwe (IPEC) says there is no law that barres retailers, banks or mobile phone operating companies from selling health insurance products since most of these players are operating as corporate agents on behalf of registered insurance companies. By Michael Gwarisa This is however despite the growing calls by players in the insurance sector for government and insurance regulator IPEC, to level the playing field as insurers feel the presence of banks, retailers or mobile players is threatening profitability and sustainability of traditional insurance companies. In…

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