Harare: AfricUpdate – News Desk
The Government says the draft bill for the National Health Insurance Scheme has been finalised, with expectations it will become law by the end of this year. After years of consultation and research, Zimbabwe’s proposed National Health Insurance Scheme is now closer to reality. Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, says the scheme is being modelled on international best practices to create a well-financed and inclusive system that delivers better outcomes for Zimbabweans.
He was speaking at the official opening of the Association of HealthCare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) conference in Victoria Falls this Thursday. “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 our bill, we have looked at several countries that have implemented the national health insurance schemes, so that we come up with a better scheme, better financed, with better outcomes.
“At this stage, I want to say we are waiting now to present it to the Cabinet and to Parliament. We are hoping that the bill will become an act by the end of this year, and we will start rolling out our national health insurance sometime next year. Hopefully, by mid-next year, it will be in operation and that will mean universal health coverage for all citizens and residents of Zimbabwe,” he said. The private sector has welcomed the development, saying the National Health Insurance Scheme could significantly expand access to healthcare, especially for the majority of Zimbabweans who are currently uninsured.
“For us, we are excited about this National Health Scheme. We have been participants as AHFoZ, in terms of drafting the bill. We are excited because as a private sector, we are only covering about 10%, but we have about 90% that are not covered. We want people to be covered. It will also ensure that even the fraud that is happening in the private sector will not continue because everyone will have access to healthcare. It will also improve the lifespan for 90% of our people,” AHFoZ Chairperson, Mr Stanford Sisya said.
If all goes according to plan, Zimbabwe’s National Health Insurance Scheme could begin rolling out by mid-2026, potentially transforming the country’s health sector in line with regional and global standards. The scheme is expected to be a cornerstone in the push towards universal healthcare access in Zimbabwe, and could mark a turning point for millions currently outside the formal medical system.
