Zimbabwe Scraps Key Health Sector Fees In Major Reform Shake-Up
Zimbabwe’s government has announced sweeping reforms targeting the health sector, with authorities scrapping some licence fees and cutting others in a move aimed at reducing operating costs for hospitals, laboratories, pharmacists and other healthcare providers.
The measures were announced in a Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion statement issued by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on 12 May 2026. The reforms form part of a broader package approved by Cabinet covering the manufacturing, financial services, real estate and health sectors.
According to the Ministry of Finance statement, the changes are meant to “improve access to quality healthcare services and reduce operational costs for providers”.
Government Announces Wide-Ranging Health Sector Changes
Among the biggest changes announced is the abolition of Health Professions Authority (HPA) licences for pharmaceutical and manufacturing wholesalers.
The government also revealed that licensing fees for medical service providers, including hospitals and laboratories, would be reduced by between 20% and 30%.
The statement further confirmed that Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) pharmacy licence fees would be scrapped entirely.
Other reforms include:
• A 25% reduction in MCAZ pharmaceutical manufacturing licence fees.
• Reduced medicine registration fees.
• Reduced Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ) practising certificate fees for practitioners, while student fees will be abolished.
• A cap of US$100 (about R1,830) on private hospital approval letter fees.
• A 25% reduction in medical laboratory and clinical scientist registration fees.
• A 20% reduction in Nurses Council registration and practising fees.
• Up to 50% cuts in Pharmacists Council registration and practising fees.
Nick Mangwana shared details of the reforms on X on 12 May 2026, highlighting several of the fee reductions and abolished charges affecting the healthcare industry.
Mthuli Ncube Speaks On Lowering Costs
In the official statement, Mthuli Ncube said the reforms were designed to ease financial pressure on healthcare providers and investors.
The statement reads:
“These interventions will lower the cost of establishing and operating healthcare facilities, thereby encouraging investment in both public and private healthcare provision.”
The government also said the measures were expected to improve access to medicines and healthcare services over time.
The statement added:
“The reforms are also expected to improve the availability and affordability of essential medicines and services, while supporting the training and entry of health professionals.”
Authorities further said the reforms would help strengthen service delivery and institutional capacity within the healthcare system.
Other Sectors Also Affected
The health sector reforms were part of a larger package affecting multiple industries.
The government announced reductions in manufacturing compliance costs, including cutting Ministry of Industry import licence fees from US$100 (about R1,830) to US$50 (about R915) for most items.
Financial sector measures included lower banking supervision fees, reduced mobile money transfer charges and the introduction of zero-cost bank accounts for MSMEs.
In the real estate sector, authorities also announced the abolition of some building permit requirements and reductions in contractor registration fees.
The Ministry of Finance said the broader reforms were aimed at improving the ease of doing business and stimulating economic growth under Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 programme.
The ministry said:
“Government seeks to unlock productivity, stimulate investment and drive sustainable economic growth.”
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