BULAWAYO, September 25 2008 – As the cost of health services continues to soar in cities and towns, urbanites have now resorted to rural medical institutions because they are cheaper.
A survey carried out by Radio VOP this week revealed that despite the recent hike in medical fees in city hospitals and pharmacies, most rural health institutions, including mission hospitals and clinics had not increased their fees.
Most mission hospitals are charging less money for maternity bookings, which is far less than what most hospitals in towns are charging. Maternity fees at rural health institutions are very low compared to the ZW$3 000 consultation fee being charged by medical institutions in urban areas. The maternity costs being charged by rural health institutions cover regular visists to the ante-natal clinic to post-natal visits.
Consultation fees at most mission health institutions and clinics are currently pegged at ZW$ 100 as compared to the ZW$ 2 000 being asked for at most health institutions in urban areas.
