FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO-Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamhu has ordered Neshuro Hospital to stop charging members of the public for birth records searches, saying the practice is illegal.
The directive follows complaints from villagers who said the hospital had introduced the charges on June 1, 2026.
According to residents, those seeking birth records for children below two weeks old were exempt from paying while searches for records older than two weeks but up to five years attracted a $5 fee. Records older than five years were reportedly charged $10.
Speaking to the Midweek Watch, Dr Shamhu confirmed that the hospital had been instructed to discontinue the illegal practice.
“The hospital authorities at Neshuro Hospital were trying to raise money to cater for the hospital expenses but we have since stopped it because it is illegal,” said Dr Shamhu.
He said public health institutions must operate within the legal framework governing user fees and charges.
Villagers who talked to this publication said the charges had become a burden for many families seeking birth records for school enrolment, national registration and other official purposes.
“We were surprised when we were asked to pay for a birth records search. Many families in our community are struggling financially and every dollar matters,” said one villager on condition of anonymity for fear of victimization.
Some villagers also questioned why mothers would be expected to obtain birth records within two weeks of giving birth while they were still recovering.
“Many women are still recovering from childbirth within those first two weeks. Some are still in pain and not physically able to travel. It does not make sense to expect them to rush to the hospital or registry at that time,” said another villager.
The move comes after villagers raised concerns over the fees arguing that they placed an unnecessary financial burden on families seeking essential birth records.
Dr Shamhu said the matter had been addressed and assured members of the public that the they have stopped unauthorised charges.
