The Zimbabwean Government has completed the draft National Health Insurance Bill, with plans to table it before Cabinet imminently. The bill is set to be launched and become operational in 2026, promising free primary healthcare. This initiative is designed to be the bedrock of the country’s pursuit of universal health coverage, aiming to shield every citizen from financial hardship when seeking medical treatment.
The confirmation came directly from the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, during his address at the Association of Health Care Funders Zimbabwe annual conference in Victoria Falls. He shared that the current vision for a healthier nation is entirely dependent on forging powerful alliances.
“Our vision, as articulated in the National Health Strategy, is to achieve ‘a healthy and productive nation that enjoys equitable access to quality health services.’ This vision is not achievable without robust partnerships,” Minister Mombeshora stated.
Taxes on Sugar and Mining to Fund Care
The Minister detailed the Government’s strategy to move away from unreliable external donor funding. The NHI scheme will be funded through a non-contributory model, meaning citizens will not be required to pay premiums directly. Instead, it will be bankrolled by a series of earmarked taxes.
These will include existing levies on airtime and the AIDS levy, alongside new taxes proposed for sugar, tobacco, alcohol, and fast foods. Additional revenue streams, such as taxes from the mining sector, are also under consideration. This approach aims to boost domestic funding, which has already seen a significant increase from ZiG117 million in 2020 to an average of ZiG463 million between 2021 and 2023.
“The importance of this scheme cannot be overstated, as it directly addresses the critical state of health financing in the country,” Mombeshora emphasised.
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Cabinet To Review National Health Insurance Bill That Promises Free Primary Healthcare For All Zimbabweans
The proposed benefit structure is both comprehensive and tiered, ensuring long-term sustainability. It promises to cover 100% of costs for essential community and primary healthcare services. Coverage will then scale down to 80 percent at district hospitals, 60 percent at tertiary facilities, and 40 per cent at highly specialised quaternary centres.
“The proposed benefit package guarantees 100 percent coverage for community and primary care level interventions, ensuring that the most basic and essential care is fully accessible,” the Minister explained.
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