Harare City Council hospital fees now in USD.
Harare City Council has pegged its hospital and clinic user fees in United States dollars.
In a statement released on its Facebook page, Harare City Council said patients who want to pay in the local currency can pay the prevailing interbank rate.
City of Harare said it has decided to charge foreign currency to ensure the viability and sustainability of the health system which is currently rated the best in the country.
Adults will now be expected to fork out US$5 while children pay US$3. Maternity fees are pegged at US$25.
The notice by Harare City Council reads:
Harare City Council has pegged its clinic and hospital consultation fees against the prevailing interbank rate. Adults pay an equivalent of US$5 while children pay US$3. Maternity fees are pegged at US$25.The local component ZWL will vary on a weekly basis depending with the weekly US$ going rate.The decision was made to ensure the viability and sustainability of the health system which is currently rated the best in the country.
The news comes at a time when various hospitals both in the public and private sectors are hiking fees for patients.
The public hospital, United Bulawayo Hospitals recently announced private fees.
While the new hospital fees are pegged in Zimbabwe’s local currency, they are simply beyond the reach of many as most citizens barely earn half of the highest charges.
Civil servants recently received a pay increase of 50 percent as well as a US$75 Covid-19 allowance. However, nurses and teachers have alleged that even with the increment, the salaries are still below $5000 per month.
Private hospitals are charging in foreign currency with an elite hospital in Bulawayo demanding a massive US$5000 for hospitalization for Covid-19 patients.