What we are seeing is just one of the many symptoms that are coming out showing what level of economic crisis we have got as a country. This is merely an issue of economic crisis. It is not about the conduct of the doctors or medical aid societies. Yes, some of the medical aid societies have misbehaved but not all of them. Some have tried to manage their finances properly but the economic environment is such that there are no good skills that can be applied for you to run a business properly. So what is the way forward?
In my view, Mr. Speaker … – [AN HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjections.] – you can sing that old song forever but it will not change the situation … – [HON. MPARIWA: Taura iwewe nyaya yako.] – Mr. Speaker, the real issues that we need to address, I know some Hon. Members were calling for Government to intervene and take action but if there is action that this Government has to take is action that redresses the declining of the economy. Once the economy is addressed, I can assure you, we will be able to access medical aid services … – [HON. MPARIWA: Ndipo pane nyaya!] – Medical aid societies will be able to pay doctors, doctors will be able to live properly and allow people with medical aid to access their services. As long as the economy is going downwards and sinking as it is, there is no miracle that is going to happen.
What we need to do, like Hon. Ndebele indicated, I think the Chief Executive Officer has to wake up and know that this economy is dead and he should resuscitate it. It is his sole responsibility and none other than himself. The President is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the economy of this country runs and where it stands right now, all macro-economic variables are indicating that there is nothing working in this country. The only macro-economic variables that are increasing are unemployment and poverty levels as everything else is declining.
My recommendations are that when you fail you go out, when you fail you resign and let others do it. I am saying it does not need a rocket scientist to say that the Chief Executive Officer of this country has failed … – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – It does not need a prophet to say that in terms of running the economy of the this country because the primary responsibility of a Government is to ensure that the economic and social welfare of its citizens are catered for…
HON. MATAMBANADZO: On a point of order Hon. Speaker, we no longer constitute a quorum.
An objection having been taken that there being present fewer than (70) members, the bells were rung for Seven Minutes and a Quorum still not being present, THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER adjourned the House without any question put at Twenty-Three Minutes to Six o’clock p.m. pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order Number 56.
*Sibanda made this contribution before Health Minister David Parirenyatwa issued a ministerial statement on the issue. Here is Parirenyatwa’s statement and full debate.
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