Breast cancer patient dies after Mpilo doctors demand $10 000 for $2 000 operation

Health experts have accused doctors at Mpilo Central Hospital of overcharging a breast cancer patient Ms Phanankosi Dube for an operation to remove her breasts. The doctors are said to have demanded $10 000 for the operation which health experts say should cost at most $2 000 at a public health institution like Mpilo.

After The Chronicle published her story, a doctor from Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, phoned the late Dube’s family and said that the operation could be done at the hospital for less than $2 000. Mpilo Central Hospital clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said the minimum cost for operating one breast is $754. He said that the patient pays $12 consultation fee, $30 ward deposit and $200 theatre fee and is given the bill showing the balance after the operation which they can pay later.

Ngwenya said that the hospital does not turn away patients for not having the money to pay but are instead treated and the issue of payment is addressed later.