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Revitalizing Healthcare, Certificate of Proficiency Launched to Enhance Medical Aid Industry

By Shingirai Vambe

Zimbabwe’s medical aid industry is at a critical juncture, facing numerous challenges that threaten to undermine its effectiveness. Despite its crucial role in ensuring access to quality healthcare for millions of citizens, the industry is grappling with complexities in healthcare funding, regulations, treatment protocols, and member expectations.

One of the most pressing issues is the prevalence of huge shortfalls in medical aid payments. These shortfalls, which can be as high as 50% to 70% of the medical service cost, leave patients with significant out-of-pocket expenses, even when they have valid medical aid coverage. This not only causes financial hardship but also delays or prevents patients from seeking essential medical care.

The causes of these shortfalls are multifaceted. Disagreements over tariffs between medical aid societies and healthcare providers, limited regulatory oversight, and conflicts of interest among medical practitioners and health professionals are some of the contributing factors. Furthermore, the presence of multiple players in the private health insurance market, lack of group practices among private practitioners, and high marketing and administrative costs also exacerbate the problem.

The volatile exchange rate has also led to shortages of essential medical supplies, as importers struggle to access foreign currency. This has resulted in delays or cancellations of critical medical procedures, putting patients’ lives at risk.

To address these challenges, the Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) and the Insurance Institute of Zimbabwe (IIZ) have launched the Certificate of Proficiency, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at elevating the standards of professionalism, expertise, and service delivery in the medical aid industry. This program seeks to empower professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the sector.

AHFoZ Chairman, Mr Stanford Sisya said the Certificate of Proficiency offers numerous benefits to the medical aid industry, including enhanced professionalism and expertise, improved service delivery, innovation and adaptability, collaboration and networking, and alignment with global standards. By investing in the development of their teams and embracing this initiative, leaders and professionals in the industry can help build a future where every Zimbabwean has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, supported by a robust and efficient medical aid system.

“Ultimately, addressing the challenges facing Zimbabwe’s medical aid industry requires a collective effort. By working together, stakeholders can help create a more sustainable, efficient, and effective healthcare system that prioritizes the needs of patients and provides them with access to quality, affordable care,” said Sisya.

Zimbabwe’s medical aid industry is facing unprecedented challenges, exacerbated by the country’s volatile exchange rate. The sector, which plays a critical role in ensuring access to quality healthcare for millions of citizens, is struggling to cope with the devastating impact of currency fluctuations.

The rapid depreciation of the local currency has resulted in huge shortfalls in medical aid payments. Medical aid societies are finding it increasingly difficult to settle claims with healthcare providers, who are demanding payment in foreign currency. This has led to a significant increase in out-of-pocket expenses for patients, even those with valid medical aid coverage.

The insurance sector is also feeling the pinch. Insurers are struggling to maintain adequate reserves, as the value of their assets is being eroded by the depreciating currency. This has resulted in reduced payouts to policyholders, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the medical aid industry.