by Grace Chekai
Mater Dei Hospital, a Roman Catholic-run hospital, has been reproached by citizens for seeking to profiteer at a time the country is grappling from effects of the coronavirus, by announcing exorbitant medical fees for COVID-19 patients.
The hospital announced shocking medical fees for COVID-19 patients yesterday, which are indexed in United States (US) dollars and are beyond the reach of many Zimbabweans.
In their memorandum dated 1 July 2020,the Credit Control officer, Obedience Ncube wrote, “Kindly be advised that all COVID-19 patients are required to pay USD deposits,USD60.00 for casualty,USD3000.00 for General Ward and USD5000.00 for ICU Hospitalization.”
Citizens have reacted angrily to the announced fees and blasted the profiteering tendencies of Mater Dei Hospital, which are contrary to its mandate of existence, which is that of serving the less privileged.
One netizen, Kennedy Matonga was shocked by such exorbitant fees and tweeted that, “The Mater Dei hospital is slowly morphing into an anti-people organisation contrary to their mandate of existence which is to help the less privileged people.”
Another citizen, Charity Makanga lambasted Mater Dei Hospital saying the development was ridiculous and unacceptable as the USD is only found in the hands of a few elite.
“Why would a Christian hospital charge such exorbitant fees? These hospitals should operate the way missionaries operated. Who is getting US dollars in Zimbabwe? The fees are ridiculous,” queried Makanga.
One vendor James Gamba said that the hospital was now working with detractors who rejoice in the suffering of Zimbabweans, so as to spearhead their hidden agenda of regime change by alleging that the Government had failed to address the challenges of the people.
“This Catholic hospital is up to no good. How can they charge exorbitant fees that are beyond the reach of many? What is their agenda? They just want Zimbabweans to blame Government. The Government is out of this.
“We expect these hospitals to be affordable. What they are simply saying in other words is that they have ceased operations or are now accommodating the elite only,” said Gamba.
Mater Dei Hospital is a Christian hospital located in Bulawayo and was established in 1953 to provide health and specialist services. The hospital is owned and operated by a Board of Trustees which include the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood.
