National tariffs liaison committee proposed to resolve Zimbabwe's healthcare deadlock

The proposed committee aims to bring together the government, medical aid societies, healthcare providers, and consumers to establish a structured process for setting tariffs and managing related pressures. Its effectiveness will depend on its ability to produce evidence-based outcomes rather than reiterating existing positions. The NTLC's primary task would be to define a "scientific tariff" based on evidence-based costing and price-setting methods, considering affordability, quality, efficiency, and sustainability.

This involves identifying the resources required for healthcare services and establishing their costs. The committee's mandate should include developing a transparent tariff-setting framework, negotiating and reviewing rates, examining the impact of healthcare costs on patients, and creating a credible mechanism for dispute resolution. The Justice Portfolio Committee, led by Eddie Zvobgo Jnr, will also engage the Ministry of Justice on the legal and constitutional aspects of the regulations, complementing the NTLC's economic focus.

The goal is to move from confrontation to a durable settlement that protects patients, strengthens regulation, and ensures the viability of Zimbabwe's healthcare sy