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every woman who gives birth there separate from maternity fees paid to the institution.
No receipts are issued for the extra US$50, which creates suspicion on the legitimacy of the extra fees.

Investigations by The Herald revealed that the US$50 fee is mandatory and each nurse collects money from the patients just before she knocks-off duty.
Most people, for the safety of their wives and newly born babies, pay the amount in protest.

Officials at the hospital refused to comment on the issue.
The human resources manager, who was only identified as Mr Mhlanga, said: “I think the fee is legal, but the matron knows better. She is in-charge of all the nurses and wards.”

Mrs Mukahlera – the matron – further referred the issue to the general manager, who could not be reached for comment.
“Yes, their concern (patients) is reasonable considering they say they are not getting receipts, but since the issue involves some money, the general manager would be in a better position to comment,” said Mrs Mukahlera.

An investigation at the maternity ward confirmed payment of the extra fee. A nurse at the reception confirmed that the US$50 was mandatory and that no receipts were issued.
A Chitungwiza woman who gave birth to a baby girl at the hospital on May 10 this year, Ms Yvonne Bembere confirmed she paid US$50 but she did not get a receipt.

“I believe I entered an agreement with South Med whereby they assisted me in giving birth and I pay them some money.
“I did not enter any agreement with individual midwives and I do not see any reason why they demand US$50 from us after paying all the maternity fees to the institution,” she said.

Mrs Evelyn Maringa who paid US$50 to the institution after her sister-in-law gave birth to a baby boy on June 7, 2011, said she simply paid the money for fear of potential ill-treatment of her relative and the newly-born baby during their stay in hospital.

“I asked the nurse in-charge for a receipt so that my brother would get a refund from his medical aid, and they refused saying that such money should not be receipted.
“I wonder how they account for that money if no receipts are issued. I paid in protest for the safety of the mother and baby who were supposed to spend two more days in hospital under the supervision of the same staff,” said Mrs Maringa.

The Herald met a group of pregnant women who had come for their routine Tuesday check-ups at the centre and they confirmed they had been officially informed of the US$50 extra fee.
They, however, preferred not to be named for fear of possible victimisation since they were yet to deliver at the same institu- tion.

“We understand the money is for midwives, but if they are employed by the hospital, why can’t they get incentives from their employer?
“We understand, that South Med is a private institution and they operate differently from public hospitals, but they should at least issue out receipts for accountability.

“I do not want my name to appear in the paper because I am almost due for delivery and I fear victimisation,” said one of the women.
Some suggested that if the money was truly a “thank you” then it should not be mandatory.