AHFoZ considers medical aid subscriptions in US Dollars
HARARE, Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) has mulled approaching employer organizations to request that medical aid subscriptions be paid in US dollars to avert service provision challenges.
Reports are that several pharmacies are already selling drugs on hard currency only (USD) with prices of transacting through the bond and RTGS systems having more than doubled.
“AHFoZ urges its members to monitor the situation with a view to approaching employer organizations to request that medical aid subscriptions be paid in US dollars, so that service providers may be paid in US dollars and their members are able to access healthcare
services without inconvenience,” said in a statement.
AHFoZ has also appealed to the RBZ to urgently allocate foreign currency for the purchase of pharmaceutical supplies and other health consumables.
The Association said there was no mention of healthcare products in the list of strategic imports for which the RBZ said it has put in place $500 million facilities.
It added that there were reports of severe shortages of essential drugs and of some pharmacies charging for medication in
United States dollars.
“If those with chronic conditions were unable to access their prescribed medication this would compromise their quality of life and result in those whose conditions had previously been well managed starting to suffer complications. It also pointed out that a sick workforce could not be productive.”
AHFoZ said some medical practitioners and hospitals were reported to be demanding from medical aid members US dollars in cash as
co-payments for healthcare services “in order to preserve value”.
