Antenatal care remains free at Government institutions Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo

Nobuhle Mgwaqo, Senior Reporter
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has said antenatal care services at Government hospitals and clinics remain free.

This follows reports that Government health institutions especially in rural areas are charging pregnant mothers about $50 for antenatal care services.

The Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Obadiah Moyo said it was against Government policy for Government health institutions to demand payment for antenatal care services.

Speaking at the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASHen) conference held in Bulawayo recently, Dr Moyo warned hospital administrators against forcing pregnant women to pay for health care services.

He said Government will not hesitate to discipline administrators that were demanding payment as this was against Government policy.

“The Government policy is that expecting mothers should access free antenatal care services at all Government health institutions,” said Dr Moyo.

He said his Ministry officials will make unannounced visits to public health institutions and those found doing what is contrary to policy will be disciplined.

“We want to reduce maternal and neo-natal mortality rates and we cannot achieve this if some expectant mothers are denied services because they cannot afford the ‘illegal fees’,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Moyo said Government will continue to engage pharmacies that are demanding payment in forex so that they accept all forms of payments.

“We are encouraging both wholesalers and retailers to sell their products in currencies which are available.

“The US$ is part of the foreign currency basket but it’s not readily available so why do we want to penalise our people by demanding payment in US$ only?” asked the Minister.

This year’s conference ran under the theme “Water borne diseases in Zimbabwe: Prevention, Control and Elimination.”

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