Medical players reflect on COVID-19 crisis

PRIVATE medical players will next week converge in Mutare to discuss the global COVID-19 pandemic which has been bedevilling the country for the past two years and proffer possible solutions.

The conference, which is being organised by the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe (MDPPAZ), will run from December 3 to 5, under the theme Sustainability and Welfare for Health Providers in Changing Environment.

MDPPAZ president Johannes Marisa told NewsDay that issues to be tackled would include the effects of COVID-19 on health frontline workers in the country after several of them succumbed to the respiratory virus.

“Medical professionals have worked tirelessly, especially during the last two years when the world has been ravaged by COVID-19. They stood tall and remained astute as they continued to deliver health services. Many medical practitioners lost their lives in their respective lines of duty, a disconsolate development,” he said.

“The viability of the medical practice has been compromised, with public institutions experiencing unbearable staff exodus for greener pastures.”

Marisa said private practice faced a plethora of challenges, ranging from non-payment for claims by medical aid societies, unbearable running costs, an unfavourable economic environment, COVID-19 and vindictive local authorities, among other challenges.

The association’s secretary-general Cletos Masiya said the three-day indaba would be held in compliance with COVID-19 protocols, with only 100 delegates attending physically, while the rest would follow the proceedings virtually.

“Collaboration strategies shall be discussed and adopted to reposition the profession into a formidable force in view of various threats and new opportunities in our environment,” he said.

MDPPAZ consists of 372 medical practitioners.