Cracks in civil society over proposed health user fees
Government’s plan to introduce health user fees in the public hospitals has divided civil society organisations (CSOs).
Government confirmed last week the introduction of user fees following a recommendation from a special task force on reforming the health sector and a Cabinet decision.
But some CSOs have already started planning for a joint course of action to prevent the programme.
They include the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), the National Association for People Living with HIV and Aids in Malawi (Napham), the Malawi Network of People Living with HIV and Aids (Manet +) and the Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living or Personally Infected by HIV and Aids (Manerela).
But in an interview on Friday, Malawi Health Equity Network (Mhen) executive director Martha Kwataine accused the groups of being used by international NGOs.
Said Kwataine: “The health sector has been struggling and for many years plans to overhaul it were frustrated by politicians who were not brave and patriotic enough to risk political capital by introducing user fees.
“Now we have a President rising above political considerations and others want to stop him before weighing the benefits of change”.
She accused the groups of unpatriotic behaviour, concerned with the need to appease the international community.
Oxfam country director John Makina, while accepting that the international charity arm engages local civil society groups on such matters, dismissed any fears that there is anything sinister with the local NGOs move.
“We feel the poor will be hurt by the planned action and we should do something to protect them. We are not thinking of anything radical like a demonstration, but facilitating a discussion on the matter,” said Makina.
He said Oxfam has done extensive research and experience attained from working in several countries which cautions against rushing to implementing such a policy when the majority of citizens are struggling with poverty.
CHRR executive director Timothy Mtambo said his organisation is yet to take a stand on the matter, but confirmed it is planning to participate in discussions by the local civil society groups.
Manerela executive director Macdonald Sembereka also confirmed his organisation is planning to join the action as the proposal will hurt people.
Manet + executive director Safari Mbewe said his organisation is concerned that government is rushing with its decision.
“People struggle to access drugs in areas where only Cham [the Christian Health Association of Malawi] hospitals are available,” said Mbewe.
In 1966, a Cabinet crisis ereupted under Malawi’s founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda, following disagreements on, among others, whether user fees should be introduced in public hospitals.
