Minister emphasizes personal responsibility for medical costs in South Africa
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| President Emmerson Mnangagwa Government prioritizes domestic healthcare over funding treatment abroad |
Zimbabwe’s government has made it clear that it will not cover medical expenses for its citizens seeking treatment in South Africa. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi emphasized during a recent parliamentary session that the country’s limited financial resources must be prioritized for healthcare within Zimbabwe before extending support abroad.
Addressing concerns about Zimbabweans living in South Africa who face difficulties accessing medical services, Minister Ziyambi said that individuals who choose to seek treatment outside the country do so at their own responsibility and are not entitled to state-funded assistance. He explained that government support for healthcare abroad would only be possible if surplus funds remain after addressing the domestic healthcare needs.
This position reflects ongoing tensions where some foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans in South Africa, have been reportedly blocked from accessing healthcare services by local organizations and community groups.
The minister outlined that Zimbabwe’s primary focus remains strengthening healthcare at home, particularly through the development of a national health insurance scheme. For Zimbabweans abroad, government assistance would be limited to emergency situations, such as stabilizing patients in critical condition before facilitating their return to Zimbabwe.
Opposition members in parliament questioned this stance, highlighting the significant financial contributions made by the Zimbabwean diaspora through remittances. However, Minister Ziyambi clarified that these remittances, while vital for households and the economy, do not constitute government revenue and therefore cannot be allocated to fund medical treatment abroad.
Zimbabwe’s healthcare system currently faces numerous challenges, including underfunding, shortages of medicines, and limited access to medical aid for the majority of citizens. This difficult environment has prompted the government to concentrate its efforts on improving domestic health services before extending support to citizens living outside its borders.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s government has drawn a clear line: medical care abroad, especially in South Africa, will not be funded by the state except in urgent emergencies. Citizens seeking treatment outside Zimbabwe must take personal responsibility for their healthcare costs.
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