Harare, (New Ziana) – Private health institutions in Zimbabwe are now legally obliged to admit and provide emergency treatment to patients suffering from life-threatening conditions for at least 48 hours before any transfer, regardless of their ability to pay, following the gazetting of the Medical Services Amendment Act (No. 3 of 2026).
The landmark legislation, which was gazetted on Tuesday, amends the Medical Services Act (Chapter 15:13) and gives legal effect to Section 76 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees every citizen and permanent resident the right to basic healthcare services, including emergency medical treatment.
The Act had originally been gazetted as a Bill on 19 July 2024 before undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny and receiving Presidential assent in June this year.
The new law marks one of the most significant reforms to Zimbabwe’s healthcare system in recent years, ending the long-standing practice where critically ill patients were at times denied admission by private hospitals because they could not immediately pay admission fees or provide proof of medical aid.
Under the legislation, every private health institution is now required to admit any patient facing a life-threatening emergency and provide treatment aimed at stabilising the patient for a minimum of 48 hours before arranging a transfer to a government health institution where necessary.
While patients cannot be denied life-saving treatment because of financial constraints, the Act preserves the right of private institutions to recover the costs of treatment after the patient’s condition has been stabilised through agreements with either the patient or the State.
The legislation also strengthens Zimbabwe’s preparedness for public health emergencies by empowering the Minister of Health and Child Care to request private medical institutions to provide specialist services for patients referred from the public healthcare system during declared national public health emergencies.
To ensure compliance, the Act introduces stringent penalties for private health institutions and practitioners who refuse to admit emergency patients.
Heads of institutions or healthcare practitioners found guilty of violating the law face fines of up to Level 8, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
By compelling private healthcare providers to prioritise the preservation of life above immediate financial considerations, the Medical Services Amendment Act is expected to significantly improve emergency medical response and reduce preventable deaths arising from delayed treatment.
New Ziana
