Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE Zimbabwe business and healthcare adapt to COVID-19 demands

Shylet Sanyanga, CEO: AHFoZ

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown directives were unprecedented, taking all businesses, including medical aid societies, by surprise. Medical schemes, like all businesses, switched into survival mode during the lockdown period. The focus was mainly on member retention, as growth was difficult due to depressed business activity.

On the other hand, inflation was eroding the value of member contributions. In order to remain relevant, medical aid societies resorted to introducing products tailored for specific cluster needs, according to ability to pay coupled with responsiveness.

The ability of businesses to adapt was put to the test. Overnight they had to switch to operating remotely. Since the government was focused on reducing the spread of COVID-19, the initial lockdown directive did not allow ample notice for adaptation. Though the industry was included under gazetted essential services, most medical aid societies opted to enable the bulk of their staff to work from home.

Even though demand for healthcare services initially declined during lockdown due to fear, healthcare facilities remained operational. There was a severe shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in both public and private facilities. However, the situation improved with time due to a multisectoral response to the pandemic. Medical aid societies under AHFoZ mobilised resources for PPE to assist the Ministry of Health and Child Care, with several corporates collaborating on projects to renovate and equip facilities to boost capacity to deal with COVID-19.

Going forward, public-private sector collaboration should be strengthened through memoranda of understanding to promote efficiencies and transparency. In addition, regulatory authorities should introduce the necessary framework and protocols for telemedicine. There should be a monitoring system for quality so that telemedicine is embraced in a way that improves patient outcomes.

African countries should collaborate on a uniform classification of diseases and on research into vaccines, as well as the setting up of medicines manufacturing plants on the continent.