Your millions up front please!
My friend told me how her brother (who lives in Harare) took his 7 year old daughter to an orthodontist yesterday. He was informed that they do not accept medical aid and that he would need in the region of $35 million CASH for the appointment and compulsory x-ray. He was quoted a further $380 million for one set of braces for his daughter. He cannot afford the appointment fee, let alone the x-ray and braces. He has been paying medical aid (private hospital cover) for his daughter since she was born. Not much good now when some medical practitioners are refusing to accept it because they do not want to have to wait for the medical aid companies to reimburse them. He asked if they would give him credit facilities and was turned down. Cash upfront or nothing.
With the value of our dollar literally deteriorating by the day, fees charged have to be paid on the day of service or else the practitioner loses money.
March 31st, 2006 22:00
Wow, I do not know how these numbers compare because I haven’t kept track of inflation in Zim, but it is terrible that the medical aid already paid does not help.
April 2nd, 2006 22:55
I found your Blog.
I love the humour of you Zim’s, even with the problems you face day-to-day.
I’ve only been to Zim a few times, long time before the lunacy of today, and found the place to be one of the most friendly and relaxed places anywhere. [My first trip was from SA on the eve of the first real election, so the change in atmosphere was something to be experienced].
Now it looks like you guys are suffering under the yoke. It cannot last forever. My heart is with you.
April 3rd, 2006 16:43
I am a former Zimbabwean. It pains me to see the state of things in Zimbabwe. Such a beautiful country reduced to economic and political rubble by a despotic government. First World countries are not doin enough. It is not enough to give food aid. It is not enough to accept refugee’s. Stop the dictatorships! Hit the root of the problem!
April 19th, 2006 14:07
Getting rid of Mugabe is not going to solve the problem, whats needed is a strong opposition who will challange the regime that surrounds Mugabe. I am all for him meeting a violent end at the hands of the people, the only thing that I fear is that voilence begets violence and the spiral of violence and loss of human rights is going to be difficult to correct. Strong hands and hearts are needed in Zimbabwe the violence must come, to rid the country of the regime thats dragging it down, but the regime that takes over thats the million dollar question. the best thing that could happen to most of Africa would be to re- colonies the place put it right and then gradually withdraw after the population are stable. Not that will ever happen to many factors in the way, so starvation and Aids are the only real hope it will eventually lead to a mass uprising which will sweep the Mugabes of Afica back to oblivion.