Private Sector Backs National Health Insurance Bil...

Private Sector Backs National Health Insurance Bill

Minister of Health, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

The private sector has welcomed the drafting of Zimbabwe’s National Health Insurance Scheme, describing it as a vital step towards extending affordable healthcare to millions of citizens currently outside the medical aid system.

Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe chairperson, Stanford Sisya, said the scheme would be a game-changer for the health sector.

“We want people to be covered. It will improve the lifespan of 90 percent of our people and curb fraud in the system, ensuring fairness in access to healthcare,” he said at the organisation’s conference in Victoria Falls yesterday.

Currently, only 10 percent of the population has medical aid cover, leaving the majority without access to structured health financing.

Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, who officially opened the conference, confirmed that the draft bill for the scheme has been completed and will soon be tabled before Cabinet and Parliament.

“The Ministry of Health has made great strides in compiling a national health insurance scheme, and the draft bill is now at an advanced stage. As we draft, we have studied countries that have implemented such schemes so we come up with a better-financed system with better outcomes,” he said.

Dr. Mombeshora added that the bill is expected to be enacted before the end of the year, with implementation targeted for mid-2026.

The National Health Insurance Scheme is projected to expand coverage, strengthen health financing, and align Zimbabwe with international benchmarks for universal health coverage.