The Government is taking decisive steps to break up the growing stranglehold of medical insurance companies that also own clinics and pharmacies, a practice it claims is creating a toxic environment where profits are prioritised over patients.
This bold move follows private healthcare practitioners raising the alarm over what they term “unethical and unfair practices” by certain insurers. The core of the issue is a fundamental conflict of interest: a company’s duty to its shareholders to maximise profit is at direct odds with a healthcare provider’s duty to deliver the best possible care.
Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini confirmed the state’s position, stating the need for a clear separation between funding and providing healthcare.
“It is not about a specific provider, but we envision a situation where a medical insurance company does not end up providing health services or selling pharmaceutical products,” he said.
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Health Insurers Accused Of Unethical Practices To Force Independent Doctors Out
A formal complaint from Dr Johannes Marisa, the president of the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe triggered the crackdown. In a letter to the Deputy Minister, Dr Marisa detailed a litany of grievances faced by independent practitioners. He alleged that insurers are engaging in a systematic campaign to squeeze out competition and force patients into their own networks.
Key complaints include a refusal to register new service providers, sudden and unilateral slashing of consultation tariffs, and the deregistration of doctors for what he called “minor infractions.” Furthermore, Dr Marisa highlighted the issue of cost, noting that “drug prices at the health insurance-owned or affiliated pharmacies are significantly higher compared to non-affiliated pharmacies,” placing an additional financial burden on patients.
A Fundamental Conflict of Interest
Deputy Minister Kwidini acknowledged these concerns, emphasising how the current model strips away patient autonomy.
“This has its own challenges that deprive patients of the right to choose a provider of their choice. We are seized with the matter and we are working on finding a solution that best serves our health system,” he stated.
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Critics of the integrated model argue it creates a dangerous incentive structure. An insurer that owns its own network of facilities may be tempted to deny or limit expensive but necessary treatments, tests, or specialist referrals to protect its bottom line. Ultimately, the medical decision is no longer purely in the hands of a doctor focused on health, but is influenced by a corporation focused on its financial returns.
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The post Zimbabwe Moves To Ban Medical Aid Companies From Owning Clinics And Pharmacies appeared first on iHarare News.
