The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
GOVERNMENT is working tirelessly to ensure that the universal health insurance is readily available to every citizen, including the elderly nationwide to guarantee them social security, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Professor Paul Mavima has said.
Speaking at the belated celebrations of the United Nations International Day for Older Persons held recently at Zororo Old People’s Home in Sakubva, Minister Paul Mavima said the Ministry of Health and Child Care was implementing the initiative, while his ministry was rallying behind as it deals with social security of all citizens.
The day is celebrated annually on October 1, and this year’s theme was: ‘Digital Equity for all Ages’.
Once developed, the insurance will be available to all citizens, thereby helping in the improvement of health service delivery as the country strives to achieve Vision 2030 of a middle income economy.
He said the insurance would act like a supplement lifelong health pension to elderly people.
“These social protection programmes are meant to improve the lives of Zimbabweans, particularly the elderly who cannot afford to pay for medical assistance.
“Currently, there is a medical assistance programme which our elderly should take advantage of where they should be assisted for free at our public hospitals,” he said.
He said once the elderly face challenges in accessing health services for free, they should alert their social development officers in their respective areas and they would be assisted.
Minister Mavima also urged the elderly who look after orphaned grandchildren to register for the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) so that they be assisted with paying school fees, and examination fees as well as buying of uniforms and stationery.
He further stated that the elderly should not be left behind in the digital technology craze as they could also benefit from some information online.
Minister Mavima also said senior citizens should be equipped with the necessary digital know-how for them to access health information readily available online.
He said Government would find ways to gather the necessary ways, and resources to ensure that the elderly were not left behind in terms of technology.
“Our elderly should be able to access their health information online so that they keep up to date with the rest of the world.
“There should not be any gap between them, and everyone else and, Government is in the process of finding ways on how best to give the elderly digital skills that are appropriate for their age,” he said.
Older persons board member, Mrs Priscilla Gavi, said, while they were grateful of the universal health insurance, there was also need for a universal pensions which should assist the elderly who look after their orphaned grandchildren, since the insurance would only focus on health related expenses.
“UNICEF reports that over 60 percent of orphans are being looked after by their elderly grandparents, and these grandparents are mostly people who no longer go to work, and struggle to put food on the table. There is need for Government to initiate that pension so that our elderly get assistance,” she said.
