Harare City Council Increases Maternity Fees

Harare City Council has announced a 14-fold increase in clinic and maternity fees, a move that is raising opposition as the charges will now vary directly with weekly changes in the exchange rate, with adults this week being charged $344 for a consultation and children $206. 

The clinic fee increases, which came into effect on Thursday, have seen maternity fees pushed up from $120 to the local currency equivalent of US$25, which is $1 720 at this week's exchange rate. 

Children consultation fees are now the equivalent of US$3 or $206,40 this week, up from $25, while adults now pay the equivalent of US$5, or $344 this week, up from $50.