Byo Senior Citizens Express Concerns Over Free Medication in Government Hospitals

Effort Moyo

Concerned citizens in Bulawayo called on lawmakers to address issues surrounding free treatment for senior citizens in the Medical Services Amendment Bill.

This appeal was made yesterday at the Portfolio Committee on Health and Childcare’s public hearings on the proposed bill.

The amendment to Section 82(b) aims to ensure free treatment for senior citizens at state-owned hospitals. However, residents argue that, in practice, seniors still bear significant out-of-pocket costs for medications and treatments. While administrative fees may be waived, they often have to cover the expenses for their actual medical needs.

Ntando Sibanda, a concerned citizen, pointed out that the supposed free treatment only applies to administrative charges, leaving seniors responsible for treatment costs.

“Free treatment only applies to that you are only free at the administrative charges, but doctors write prescription for us to buy medication, and even those who are 65 years old, they also buy medication for treatment, as for now we don’t know, maybe its going to change”,said Sibanda.

Mr. Silus Rashamire added that doctors frequently prescribe medications that are unaffordable for pensioners, especially given the bill’s lack of clarity on ensuring truly free treatment for seniors.

“We do not pay at the administrative window but when we get inside and meet doctors, things change, being a senior citizen is forgotten, they write prescriptions, it now means that you will have to use that $40 pension money which is not enough, we use that $40 to pay house bills and to carter for our grand children, help us the Bill is silent, there is no help that we get only the senior citizen tittle”,said Rashamire.

Public hearings are a vital form of public participation in the lawmaking process, allowing citizens to provide feedback and express their views on specific laws or policies.

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