15 Aug 2016

 The Assistant Minister of Health (MoA) Dr Alfred Madigele has told Parliament that there are plans to regulate medical fees (not expenses). 

Responding to a question in Parliament on August 11, from the MP for Gaborone North Mr Haskins Nkaigwa, he said government through the MoA recognises that health financing regulation is one of the important features of the Botswana health architecture therefore needs to be given attention.

As such, he said the MoA and its stakeholders are working on the development of a health strategy that will allow the country to plan for a health system that achieves the principles of financial protection, equity, efficiency, and quality while still ensuring government affordability and long-term sustainability.

He noted that through the ongoing health financing strategy development dialogue, a number of options for reforming the health financing system are being explored and health financing regulation, which will address regulation of medical fees, is one of those. 

Mr Madigele informed the House that one of the proposed reforms is to establish an Independent Medical Fees Tariff Setting Body/Entity/Board that will be responsible for regulation and setting up Medical Fee schedule or fee levels to ensure consumer protection as well as allow fair competition and new markets entries.

This process, he said, will be a joint collaboration between the MoA and other stakeholders such as NBFIRA, Competition Authority, Private Practitioners, Medical Aid Schemes and other government ministries and departments among others.

MP Nkaigwa had asked the assistant minister if there are any plans to regulate medical expenses. ENDS