Getting hospitalized for Covid-19 treatment has is causing a financial burden for patients, as most private hospitals in the country are charging fees of up to US$1000 per day.
Most patients have been forced to seek treatment and admission at private hospitals as government hospitals are being overwhelmed. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government was forced to institute a level 4 lockdown due to the spike in Covid-19 infections and deaths.
According to research carried out by the state-owned weekly publication The Sunday Mail, private hospitals are charging between US$800 and US$1000. This fee is per day in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Below are some of the results of the survey:
West End Clinic
US$800 to US$1 000 per day for ICU
Avenues Clinic
US$800 to US$1 000 per day for ICU
Montagu Clinic
US$3 500 for five-day admission in the general ward
US$4 000 for five-day admission in the private ward
US$5 100 for five-day admission in the high-dependence unit (HDU)
US$7 600 for five-day admission ICU
Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo
US$5 000 deposit for patients who need ICU hospitalisation
Commenting on the charges, the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association (MDPPZA) said the fees are justified. MDPPZA president Dr Johannes Marisa told the publication,
“Inputs needed to manage and treat a Covid-19 patient are very expensive, especially the procurement of oxygen. We are not funded by anybody and in essence, we are left with little to nothing after treatment of a Covid-19 patient.
“We provide research-backed cutting-edge care and our outcomes are comparable to the best. This does make Covid-19 care expensive.”
Chief co-ordinator of the National Response to the Covid-19 in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva encouraged patients to approach government hospitals first.
“Since this is a global pandemic, the Government roped in the private sector to help in treating and testing of Covid-19 patients. We encourage people to go to the public health institutions and follow the correct channels, they will receive help,” she said.
Getting hospitalized for Covid-19 treatment has is causing a financial burden for patients, as most private hospitals in the country are charging fees of up to US$1000 per day.
Most patients have been forced to seek treatment and admission at private hospitals as government hospitals are being overwhelmed. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government was forced to institute a level 4 lockdown due to the spike in Covid-19 infections and deaths.
According to research carried out by the state-owned weekly publication The Sunday Mail, private hospitals are charging between US$800 and US$1000. This fee is per day in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Below are some of the results of the survey:
West End Clinic
US$800 to US$1 000 per day for ICU
Avenues Clinic
US$800 to US$1 000 per day for ICU
Montagu Clinic
US$3 500 for five-day admission in the general ward
US$4 000 for five-day admission in the private ward
US$5 100 for five-day admission in the high-dependence unit (HDU)
US$7 600 for five-day admission ICU
Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo
US$5 000 deposit for patients who need ICU hospitalisation
Commenting on the charges, the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association (MDPPZA) said the fees are justified. MDPPZA president Dr Johannes Marisa told the publication,
“Inputs needed to manage and treat a Covid-19 patient are very expensive, especially the procurement of oxygen. We are not funded by anybody and in essence, we are left with little to nothing after treatment of a Covid-19 patient.
“We provide research-backed cutting-edge care and our outcomes are comparable to the best. This does make Covid-19 care expensive.”
Chief co-ordinator of the National Response to the Covid-19 in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva encouraged patients to approach government hospitals first.
“Since this is a global pandemic, the Government roped in the private sector to help in treating and testing of Covid-19 patients. We encourage people to go to the public health institutions and follow the correct channels, they will receive help,” she said.
