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Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa during a tour at Lancet laboratories in Harare with Dr Joshua Mizha the head of the hematology department at Lancet

Health Reporter
Government will continue negotiating with private laboratories to enable economically disadvantaged patients to benefit from services that are available in public institutions at reasonable costs.

Speaking after touring Lancet Clinical Laboratories, a South African-owed laboratory in Harare today, Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said at the moment the institution is conducting some cancer tests for Government patients free of charge.

“I am aware that they are already taking some specimens for free especially those for final cancer diagnosis- what they call immunochemistry- that is good. We hope that can be expanded,” he said.

Dr Parirenyatwa said Government hopes that the same arrangement can be worked out on other laboratory services which are not available in Government laboratories.

“We can actually refer here and get expert diagnosis virtually free,” he said.

Dr Parirenyatwa who expressed gratitude on the sophisticated equipment and services at the private laboratory said Government also appreciates the training component it offers to other scientists in Government institutions.

Lancet laboratories also assists scientists from Government institutions with on-hands training using latest medical technologies.

In relation to equipment, Dr Parirenyatwa said there were other technologies that Government could also procure for its institutions.

“Within the Government sector we can simulate some of the things that are here especially if the country recognises the importance of the health delivery system to the extent that some of equipment that we need in our public health institutions, I have no doubt that it can be afforded by a Government when it is serious about upgrading its laboratory services in its institutions,” he said.

Earlier, Lancet Clinical Laboratories chief executive officer Dr Charles Muronda said they will continue engaging Government because they are the custodians of all health services in the country.

Dr Muronda said where possible, Lancet offers assistance to Government patients free of charge.

He said other partnerships can always be worked out.

“We see ourselves as very strong in public-private partnerships in that we are not competing with Government services but rather complementing Government services,” he said.

Dr Muronda said the role of the private sector is to step in when Government cannot provide certain services because of existing challenges.

“With the expertise that we have we are also available for advise when its needed,” he said.

Principal director for curative services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Mr Christopher Tapfumaneyi, Laboratory services director Mr Douglas Mangwanya- who is now chairman of the laboratory services in Sadc and other senior officials from Lancet took part in the tour.