(Last Updated on November 3, 2021 by zimdaily)
HARARE- The City of Harare has instituted investigations following social media reports that council clinic workers where demanding US$25 for delivery or risk losing the child or getting transferred. On social media, there were insinuations that at the Poly Clinics, $25 charge is demanded.
“Dzivarasekwa Poly Clinic is charging pregnant mothers an extra US$25, they threaten those in labour pain vacuity kana uchida mwana wako ndipe chebasa (If you want your baby pay up). More over, varikuti ukavanyima Mari vanokurefer kuHarare Hospita as a way yekukupfidzisa (They are also transferring pregnant mothers who refuse to pay up as a way to punish them) The sister in charge is not doing anything cos she might be benefitting from that system, RTGS is not needed pakunyoresa numb (when registering a pregnancy) they want USD, which they pocket and they swipe with their own cards at a low rate. Does it mean that we must die in childbirth while nurses watch just because one does not have the bribe money? One social media user asked?
Many more came through confirming that such practices where taking place in many poly clinics as salaries remain below the poverty Datum line.
“Even Kuwadzana 4 ndozvavarikuita (They are doing the same in Kuwadzana 4),” another weighed in.
Many more came to the defence of the nurses saying, as long as people where not being paid enough money, corruption and such practices will remain rife.
“Corruption and yet we crying remove sanctions how with people doing things like this?”
Another social media user, Chido said. “The worst thing that can happen to a country is to have a govt which does not pay its workers well. This sets the tone for unethical behavior and rot as these workers try to survive. One can never be rich from a salary but it is good for a salary to provide the basics of life: food, shelter, fees etc.”
“It’s because in Zim people have normalized the abnormal, unless we step out and do something about it this is what is going to happen for the foreseeable future.Register to vote. Unfortunately hapana zvatingaite (we can’t do anything)right now cause everyone arikutongwavha(trying everything out), we can’t control certain things but let’s advise each other where possible to save money for childbirth cause hapasisina zvemahara(There is nothing for free). It’s an unfortunate situation but there is little we can do” Ashley Fungai added.
Primrose felt that there is need for Zimbabweans to stand in solidarity with others when they raise issues that affect their delivery of service, saying the First Lady supported side midwives yet will not stand up for the nurses
“Our First Lady instead of fixing maternity hospitals went to hand over supplies to that Gogo in Mbare. We laughed about it and our excuse is always Saka moda tiite sei. It’s either do and say something or shut up and pay ma$25 usd acho mukarega lose the babies. Who are we expecting sympathy from nhai? Ma nurse acho can’t even feed their kids with those salaries , they protested n we didn’t stand navo so now they are choosing their kids over us. As long as we are selfish and don’t react when things don’t affect us” she said.
“I am not saying this is right neither am i condemning those doing it but guys nemarisk ariko nowadays ne covid and salary they are getting I understand why they might ask for extra weduwee on the other note zvekuzvara is a life and death situation so every time they deny someone access its literally signing their death certificate how do you sleep at night knowing that?”La Rive asked.
In response through their social media handles, the city of Harare said they accepted all forms of payment and that they would investigate the allegations.
“Council accepts payment for maternity fees via all forms of payment i.e cash, swipe, ecocash, onemoney, telecash & hard currency. We do not insist on payment in US$ as is being inferred in social media groups. We are investigating the allegations in all our health facilities.”