Livingstone Central Hospital senior medical superintendent John Kachimba has directed heads of departments to charge a minimum of K3,000 for all foreigners seeking health services at the institution.
Dr Kachimba said the money should be deposited into the hospital account and a government receipt should be presented as proof of payment to cover the foreigners’ medical bills.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Not if a life is at risk of dying.
$300 for malaria, c* chobe…
And the Health Minister is reading that.
ACC should move in to understand what Kachina is about to steal.
These days anybody just go to press and announce any amount either it’s at CBU or Livingston hospital.
Sounds it is Chitotela charging tourist, making money through Chitalu Chilufyanya, cartel continues.
Imwe baffikala, what is this of exaggerated amounts we are reading today? $300 for malaria? And ACC is waiting to see who build houses from that money. Stop it now… You are ANTI-
It should be free at the point of use when its clearly an emergency. It would be inhumane to expect our medics to turn down , say people in serious accidents for the sake of money. That would be against the oath they took.
You mean to tell me they were not paying all along?
Why is there no policy over such treatments? Should it be left to a Superintendent to determine who and how they should pay? Lungu’s government?
Good move… you will pay a fortune as a foreigner in the UK. If they can afford to travel, they can afford to pay USD230 for medical.
But let’s not generalise. Let’s be kind to our neighbours. Those in the SADC region should pay a smaller fee.
So called foreigners or tourists have travel insurance, the problem is residents. I hope residents are excluded because, like locals, they pay taxes and work.
Iwe are you serious.. and what about when you a Zambian fall ill abroad?
Good move. Most countries do that. We need funds to manage our hospitals.
I think Zambia is better than this! Lets not become xenophobic.Charge everyone for services don’t discriminate based on the country borders drawn by the colonialists.
Every country charges medical fees my fellow LT comment surfer. Even Zambians getting treatment are not getting it for free. Tax payers foot the bill. Stop trying to sound woke. Running an institution like a hospital is not cheap. Foreign tourists have medical insurance. For other Africans with limited resources we can work that out diligently.
Also the word foreigner needs to be fleshed out here. How about those Zambians with spouses from neighbouring countries. Are you exempt in that case? Would you have to take ID when you go for an emergency or get turned down? Is there a residency time limit? In some countries, you become a permanent resident after a while. Access to all aspects of their social infrastructure because you pay taxes.
Come to the USA and let’s say for instance you have an emergency appendectomy while you are visiting without insurance. The hospital will charge you the cost of your mansion there in Zambia for being a foreigner. There is nothing xenophobic about asking people visiting our country to pay a little bit more for hospital visits.
Nzelu read the post and comprehend before commenting
The guy is saying charge everyone
@Olivia pope. your statement is misleading, in the US they won’t charge you different fees based on your nationality.
An uninsured foreigner pays as much as an uninsured resident.
it’s not a bad policy, but there has to be a comprehensive study.
most so called foreigners don’t see medical assistance at public hospitals in Zambia, they go to private institutions, there may be emergencies or simple things that the figure can easily be fixed by a visit to the pharmacist/local hospital
and who do you consider a foreigner? is it someone visiting from outside for a short period of time or those who don’t hold Zambian citizenship but they reside in Zambia.
would I be considered a foreigner? (be careful how you answer the last question, pantu kuti nakupama iyakuti….lmfao)
THAT IS BEING INHUMANE!!!!!MINIMUM OF K3000,00?????MEANING EVEN FOR FLU TREATMENT OR THIS IS ADMISSION FEE FOR A WEEK??
BAD BAD BAD….. Idea…either let them buy medical insurance at the border. but not $300 dollars, opening doors for corruption and business for private hospitals
Wise words @Shawn, medical insurance that covers treatment at a govt hospital makes so much more sense.. And furthermore what happens in most cases is the majority of foreigners can afford to go to Private clinics unless they are refugees who are entitled to free medical care according to International Convention. Allowing foreigners to buy health insurance say at k300 (not k3000) would even be more beneficial to govt as they would earn more revenue from the number of foreigner who enter Zambia and are all required to pay as opposed to a one of payment which very few foreigners who rarely go to govt hospitals will make.
Banthu bazayamba kufela mumanyumba manje!!!!
Unless you are targeting Zimbabweans, Trust me no white man steps into these hospitals,, they are simply flown to south Africa were your politicians go. With that money one can simply fly to ZA.. or go to a private Hospital period
Public Hospitals are for all of you who get less than US 500,
sleepy Zambians
WHAT IF A PERSON NEEDS EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND HE/SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE FUNDS – ARE YOU GOING TO TURN THEM AWAY ??? MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT IF YOU ARE NOW PUTTING MONEY ON A LIFE THEN YOU SHOULD NOT BE IN CHARGE OF MEDICAL AT A HOSPITAL. YOU ARE SHAMELESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was about removing my tooth, after heard 300$ medical fee, I decided to die with it
Even in SA when going to clinic or hospital as foreigner you go with passport and they charge in hospitals
Choice of words back Supu!
Words like “Foreigner” invoke unpleasant emotions of not being wanted even with the ability to pay. There are different categories of non-citizens – Tourists, Expertriates, Refugees, undocumented immigrants, Non-residents in transit like Truck Drivers.
Which ones are we talking about?
The problem we see is not non-residents failing to pay but our own disorganization and corruption. If I may also ask, how did we arrive at the figure of K3,000 and what is the amount for a Zambian? We understand foreign doctors pay K15,000 every year for their license compared to K2,500 for the Zambian colleagues despite them getting the same salaries. Can someone explain the rationale for the wide disparities! Why not come up with a health Insurance cover for non-citizens…
Why not come up with a health Insurance cover for non-citizens at points of entry if not covered by any insurance to assist with safe travel and stay should health needs arise?