NSSA re-consult on National Health Insurance Scheme
Insurance24
HARARE, The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) says will not be able to meet the first quarter 2018 deadline for the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as a result of need to re-consult stakeholders due to changes brought by the new political dispensation.
Late 2017, Zimbabwe witnessed a political transition which saw the resignation of the country’s former President Robert Mugabe and the taking over by his long time deputy President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
However, the new administration has brought with it a new economic thrust largely bordering on re-engagement, zero tolerance on corruption and economic growth.
NSSA chairman Robin Vela said in an interview said the Authority remains hopeful the scheme will be established soon.
“We are still making progress on the national health scheme. There are still few stakeholders that we have to consult and this has been necessitated by the changes in the political dispensation, so we have to consult again on the new principle,” he said.
Vela added, “But we are still hopeful and believe that we are still able to establish it very soon although it may not be in the Q1 as initially indicated.”
The establishment of the NHIS was first mooted years ago with a view to achieve universal health insurance cover in Zimbabwe.
According to Vela the scheme is not compulsory but will be inclusive. Statistics show that about 90% of Zimbabweans are not on medical aid which means the majority of the workers have to pay out of pocket for all their medical needs.
Several countries including Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania have national health insurance schemes.
