The Sunday News
Tinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
MEDICAL Aid Societies have scheduled a meeting with private medical doctors on Friday to address the impasse over non-payment of tariffs by the former, it has been learnt. The impasse over a $220-million debt owed to doctors has seen them announcing that they will stop accepting medical aid and demandcash payments from patients with effect from 1 July.
Zimbabwe Medical Association (Zima) said the 1 July deadline was set to give the Medical Aid Societies time to address the non-payment issue. Both parties last week confirmed the scheduled meeting to map a way forward.
In a statement last week, Association of Health Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) chief executive officer Mrs Shylet Sanyanga expressed confidence that the meeting will yield positive results.
“AHFoZ will be meeting with Zima next Friday to discuss the issue. All Medical Aid members are advised that efforts to engage Zima on this issue are under way with the hope of finding a workable solution,” she said.
Zima secretary general Dr Shingi Bopoto also confirmed efforts by Zima to engage AHFoZ with the hope of coming up with a position that does not disadvantage patients.
“As I talk efforts are underway to engage them on the issue of tariffs. We are doing everything we can to make sure that they pay and patients are not prejudiced. We hope to have an extraordinary meeting with AHFoZ before 1 July to discuss the issue and come up with an amicable solution,” he said.
Dr Bopoto said doctors remained committed to providing quality health care to patients but were being shortchanged by Medical Aid Societies.
AHFoZ boss said her organisation was surprised by the decision taken by Zima to turn down Medical Aid members with effect from 1 July. She said no formal communication concerning the decision had been made by Zima to AHFoZ prior to the announcement of the ultimatum by doctors.
“The media announcement by the Zima came as a surprise to AHFoZ. AHFoZ has never formally received the specific evidence based complaints pertaining to the debtors. It is impossible to effectively deal with generalised complaints hence the need for specific detail,” said Mrs Sanyanga.
Dr Bopoto said by not paying doctors their dues, Medical Aid Societies were disregarding the law and putting the health of patients at risk. He said Zima had since engaged Government to intervene on the matter.
“There is a law which prescribes what must be paid and when this must be paid, which unfortunately is being disregarded. We have informed the Ministry of Health (and Child Care), as the regulator to take action,” he said.
Dr Bopoto said their members were being tracked by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority over non-payment of tax on claims that would have not been honoured by Medical Aid Societies. He said most doctors were now being forced to borrow money to meet tax obligation and avoid prosecution for evading tax.
“The situation is not sustainable at all. A number of our members are now borrowing money to meet tax obligations. If they don’t pay tax they risk being arrested or losing their property. Both doctors and patients are losers in this instance and like I said the regulator must take action,” he said.
Recently, Government threatened to cancel licences for Medical Aid Societies who were not meeting their obligations, giving them a June 30 deadline.
