via Resign, doctors tell $100k con minister – NewZimbabwe 26/10/2015
LOCAL doctors have urged health minister, David Parirenyatwa, to resign before “we launch a nationwide petition” calling for his dismissal.
Parirenyatwa is accused of swindling the crippled State health insurer PSMAS of about $100,000.
According to the state media, health ministry principal director Dr Gibson Mhlanga authorised the payment to Parirenyatwa’s private firm CHEST in May 2014.
The minister was allegedly only entitled to $23,000 for patients seen at his private surgery.
He has defended the additional $77,000 payment, claiming it was common industry practice.
What has however caused further outrage is the fact that the payment was made at a time other private surgeries faced collapse as PSMAS failed to pay them for services.
On Monday Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association president, Fortune Nyamande, wrote an open letter to Parirenyatwa urging him to resign over the “shameful behaviour”.
“Minister, it is honourable that you resign and apologise to the nation and you will go down the history as the worst this country has ever witnessed,” said Nyamande.
“As a point of departure, comrade minister it is never too late to save your professional reputation by avoiding further embarrassment to yourself and to those who appointed you.
“Why would you wait for us to launch a nationwide petition calling for your sacking?”
Last year doctors wanted to sue PSMAS for failing to settle longstanding debts and were blocked by Parirenyatwa.
“Minister it’s time you take a leaf from your late father who was a selfless, inspirational and gallant liberator and doctor who gave his all to Zimbabwe,” said Nyamande.
“Your actions in deliberately failing to protect medical doctors and patients is a deviation from his true ideals.”
COMMENTS
not to worry david, mudhara will protect you.
THE AFRICAN DOESNT KNOW THAT. BY ZANIPF CULTURE THIS IS HONOURABLE!!!
…. to serve/save the sick and the suffering…. Go on Dr Pari you are not the first, in fact whats new? I mean its normal, only surprising to those who are not part of the circle. Steady, it shall come to pass like it happened with Cashbert. Everyone has forgotten about his exploits when he was at the helm of the medical scheme. Its either mega salary or capitation.