Hospitals have no right to detain mothers who fail to pay after giving birth

Hospitals have no right to detain mothers who fail to pay after giving birth because they should either be billed to pay later or if they cannot afford the fees must be referred to the Health Transition Fund.

This was said in the Senate by the Deputy Minister of Health Aldrin Musiiwa after being asked by Senator Flora Buka what government policy was on mothers who failed to pay fees after delivery at central hospitals because they were being detained and humiliated.       

Pregnant women prepare a meal at Ngundu in Chivi- picture ICRC

“The policy of the Ministry of Health and Child Care is to provide free service because we have what is known as the HTF (Health Transition Fund). This fund was going to be used by mothers, once the mothers were admitted; they were supposed to claim against this fund,” Musiiwa replied.

“The Hon. Senator is alluding to issues that have arisen and are mostly administrative. We have heard of cases whereby mothers are detained, that is not government policy. Government policy is to ensure that mothers are allowed to go home once they have delivered. In cases where they must pay, then they will be billed to pay and those that cannot pay must then be referred to the HTF.”

Q & A:

HON. SENATOR BUKA: Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Health. What is Government policy on user fees on cases of mothers who give birth at central hospitals and then fail to pay for these services since we have mothers who have been detained and humiliated?

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. DR. MUSIIWA): I want to thank the Hon. Senator for asking this very important question. The policy of the Ministry of Health and Child Care is to provide free service because we have what is known as the HTF (Health Transition Fund). This fund was going to be used by mothers, once the mothers were admitted; they were supposed to claim against this fund.

The Hon. Senator is alluding to issues that have arisen and are mostly administrative. We have heard of cases whereby mothers are detained, that is not Government policy. Government policy is to ensure that mothers are allowed to go home once they have delivered. In cases where they must pay, then they will be billed to pay and those that cannot pay must then be referred to the HTF. I thank you.

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