Mater Dei Hospital’s management has threatened a worker after a leaked internal memo did the rounds on social media.
The Mater Dei Hospital employee, Xolani Sibanda got into trouble for leaking the shocking fee schedule.
According to the memo, Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe is charging a maximum deposit of USD 5,000 for Covid-19 patients needing ICU hospitalisation.
After the memo was leaked Xolani Sibanda was ordered to explain why he/she leaked an internal memo.
Savanna News publishes a copy of the letter by Mater Dei hospital to Sibanda below:
In the memo leaked by Sibanda, Mater Dei said all COVID patients are required to pay USD deposits, USD60.00 for casualty, USD3000.00 for General Ward, and USD5000.00 for ICU Hospitalization.
The news was met with disgruntlement from the public as they will not be able to afford such high fees. The situation has been worsened by government nurses and doctors who are on strike.
Nurse allegedly resigns following threats
After receiving the letter Sibanda allegedly resigned from Mater Dei Hospital stating that they no longer feel comfortable since they have no room to express themselves.
Sibanda said it has become unbearable to work at Mater Dei Hospital hence the decision to withdraw services from the institution.
Savanna News publishes the letter allegedly from Sibanda below:
The news that Mater Dei Hospital is charging foreign currency to Covid-19 patients comes at a time when Avenues Clinic has introduced compulsory COVID-19 testing for patients who want to be admitted at the facility.
In a circular, Avenues Clinic Medical Director Professor Godfrey Muguti said all patients coming for planned admissions must be tested for the novel coronavirus using the PCR testing method.
Professor Muguti said all emergency patients must be tested using Rapid Diagnostic testing.
He said the new admission regulations are due to the rise in Covid-19 infections in Zimbabwe. As of 01 July 2020, Zimbabwe had 605 confirmed cases, including 166 recoveries and seven (7) deaths.
Read: COVID-19 Testing Now Compulsory For One To Be Admitted At This Hospital