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Paidamoyo Chipunza: Harare Bureau
Doctors must reconsider their resolution to stop accepting medical aid cards with effect from next month so that patients do not suffer because of their differences with healthcare funders, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa has said.

In an interview on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe field epidemiology training programme in Harare yesterday, Dr Parirenyatwa said together with Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa, they met with both the doctors and the health funders and appealed for a postponement of the July 1 deadline to pave way for further dialogue.

“We’ve said to both doctors and health insurers; we don’t want our patients to suffer. If you’re fighting between yourselves, patients shouldn’t be the ones to suffer and this is actually the premise from which we’re appealing to them to postpone whatever they had resolved to do,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He said the Government was aware that the doctors were being taxed on unpaid claims. He said Minister Chinamasa who attended the meeting also promised to look into the issue.

“We’re aware that doctors make their claims to health insurers but before they even receive their money, they’re already taxed but Minister Chinamasa who was also part of the meeting said he is going to sort that out,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He said the recent concern showed by President Mugabe during the burial of the late National Hero Dr Felix Muchemwa on the deadlock between the two parties was also a reflection of what the leadership feels about the whole issue.

Dr Parirenyatwa said the meeting also deliberated on provision of health services by health insurers.

“One of the biggest issues with medical aid societies is that of conflict of interest and that must be addressed.

“They shouldn’t channel patients to their institutions. A patient should be free to go wherever they want to go,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.

He said although there is not yet a common position because both parties would need to consult their constituencies, the doctors promised feedback today on the way forward regarding the July 1 deadline.

“They are going to consult and they are going to come back to me tomorrow (today) and thereafter we will know our way forward. But I think we had a very frank and very constructive discussion,” he said.

Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA) president Dr Agnes Mahomva echoed Dr Parirenyatwa’s sentiments that patients should not suffer.

She said following the meeting with the Government officials, ZiMA will today meet with the national executive council and representatives from all affiliate associations from various medical disciplines to map a way forward.