MATER DEI HOSPITAL in Bulawayo has filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court suing a Rangemore woman and her husband over a medical debt of $22 324,11 which the couple allegedly failed to pay.
SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
The woman had made an undertaking to settle the medical bill after they agreed on terms.
In the summons, the first respondent is Madeline Wilson and the second respondent is her husband Nelson Joseph, both of Plot Number 10 Upper Rangemore, Bulawayo.
In the summons filed at the court on March 16, Mater Dei demanded $22 324,11 from the two, with interest pegged at the Barclays Bank rate, which is 13% per annum, compounded monthly and calculated from October 16 2014 to date.
“If you wish to oppose any of the plaintiff’s claims, you must enter an appearance to defend by making an appropriate book kept in the office of the registrar of the High Court of Zimbabwe at Bulawayo within 10 days of this summons and notify the plaintiff or his or her legal practitioner in writing at the address given,” reads the summons.
“If you do not enter an appearance to defend, the plaintiff’s claims will be heard and dealt with by the High Court without further notice to you.”
The hospital says between May 7 2014 and October 16 2014 it rendered services and supplied pharmaceutical drugs and medication to Madeline Wilson, Nelson’s wife.
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The terms and conditions of the hospital provisions of service were that Madeline would be responsible for payment of all charges and disbursements in connection with the treatment she received.
It states that in the absence of prior arrangements in writing, the entire cost of Madeline’s treatment would be payable upon presentation of the account by the hospital.
The summons states that in the event that Madeline defaulted to settle the account upon demand by the hospital, she would pay interest at the rate which the hospital is charged on overdraft by its commercial bank and such interest is payable from due date of payment and compounded monthly.
“That in the event the hospital institutes legal proceedings against defendant for the reason of the amount due on the account or any balance thereof, the defendants undertook to pay legal expenses on the attorney-client scale and collection of commission tracing against fees and other disbursements, which may be incurred by the hospital in this recovery,” reads particulars of the claim.
“The second defendant bound himself as surety for the medical bills, waiving defence of excussion and division.
“Plaintiff prays for judgment to be entered against defendants of payment of the sum of $22 324,11, the one to pay if the other is to be absolved.”
The Wilsons are yet to file appearance to defend summons at the same court.
