The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association says no sane and patriotic Zimbabwean should defend Health Minister David Parirenyatwa for siphoning the the Premier Service Medical Aid Society.
On Sunday former Health Minister who is now the health adviser to in the office of the President and Cabinet Dr Timothy Stamps wrote in the Sunday Mail defending Parirenyatwa.
Below is Dr Fortune Nyamande the ZHDA President’s response to DR Stamps
I write this article in response to the remarks made by Dr T Stamps on the controversial disbursement of $100 000 US dollars to the Minister of Health  Dr Parirenyatwa company’s CHEST account .
Labeling  Dr Parirenyatwa as an “impeccable character” and applauding him for reintroducing capitation is a gross misrepresentation and diversionary strategy.
It is common knowledge that not all medical practitioners in Zimbabwe enjoy the selective application of this otherwise noble scheme of capitation.
Isn’t it ironic and a gross moral misnomer that the same Minister who has superintendent the financial demise and decay of PSMAS becomes one of the few if not only general practitioner to benefit from the scheme?
Is it also financially sound for an indebted company to extend advances? Why then would such a company be immune from attachment of property for failing to settle long standing debts?
Dr Parirenyatwa should be reminded that his duties include the promotion of public good, social justice and advancing the access to health care for all Zimbabweans.
These allegations, if true will definitely infuriate doctors and other service providers who have continued to treat PSMAS medical aid holders with the hope that their debts will be settled.
It should also be highlighted that the preferential and gross overpayment to the Minister of Health can never be justified and is also a clear breach of the Zimbabwean constitution. Ministers whilst holding public office must not undertake paid work.
The case also inextricably places the embattled minister in a position where there is conflict of interest.
His office  regulates the medical aid societies and therefore he must be the last person to get preferential treatment ahead of the less politically connected and influential doctors should we pretend that capitation is now back at PSMAS.
It will be a great injustice should this case fail to be thoroughly investigated and the supposed funds returned immediately to the broke PSMAS.
Isn’t it a case of unparalleled barbarism that a minister who should be exploring avenues of clearing the PSMAS debt is the first one in the queue to get monetary advances for patients he may fail to treat in a couple of years?
I have no doubt that I respect Dr Stamps for his excellent contribution to Zimbabwe’s health delivery system and am sure that his leadership exploits in the ministry are greatly missed by many.
However it should be on record during our generation that this transaction by Dr Parirenyatwa through his company is highly immoral and must always be condemned in the strongest possible terms!
This article was written by Dr F N Nyamande.
Dr Nyamande is the current president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association and writes in his personal capacity.
For and on behalf of the ZHDA