Gweru Provincial Hospital engages debt collectors

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GWERU Provincial Hospital has for the second time engaged the services of debt collectors in a bid to recover money owed by patients in bills accrued last year.

GWERU Provincial Hospital has for the second time engaged the services of debt collectors in a bid to recover money owed by patients in bills accrued last year.

by Stephen Chadenga

gweru hospital The health institution, which is the biggest referral hospital in the Midlands province, is owed more than $500 000 by patients and has engaged the services of Well Cash debt collectors.

Last year, the debt collectors threatened to attach patients’ property owing to unpaid medical bills.

Yesterday, Well Cash Debt Collectors sent text messages to patients with outstanding bills imploring them to settle their debts or risk legal action being taken against them.

“Pay your Gweru Provincial Hospital November 2015 bill to avoid litigation and debt collectors’ operation procedures,” part of a text message sent to a patient reads.

Medical superintendent, Fabian Mashingaidze could not be reached for comment yesterday.

In 2013, Mashingaidze said it was not in the interest of the institution to engage debt collectors, but pointed out that patients were not forthcoming with payment plans, when they were reminded to settle their bills.

The hospital, like many other government health institutions, lacks adequate medical supplies, with patients buying most of the drugs.

This means patients pay for bedding mostly.