Copperbelt Residents Complain Of Fees For Covid Tests

Residents on the Copperbelt have complained of being charged fees for receiving Covid-19 tests at certain healthcare facilities, with some patients being charged as much as K500 for the swab. 

Anonymous sources said the practice was taking place at facilities in Kitwe, Kalulushi and Ndola. They complained that the fees risked undermining the fight against the pandemic. 

Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe has warned those levying the fees face strict punishment, saying such behaviour cannot be tolerated.

“I have received a lot of reports and complaints in certain clinics and hospitals in the province that certain members of staff are charging persons that need to be tested for COVID 19. No member of staff is allowed to charge any test for COVID 19 on any patient,” Mr. Nundwe said.

He has since instructed the Copperbelt Provincial Health Office and senior medical superintendents to monitor health facilities for the scam. 

Yesterday, Zambia recorded 1,289 cases of Covid-19, as well as 16 deaths associated with the disease. 492 people are currently receiving treatment for the virus in hospital.