A report is saying that women are being charge $5 per scream during childbirth in a Zimbabwe hospital.
An extensive new report from Transparency International, an anti-corruption organization, mentions the hard-to-believe practice. The report says the hospital screaming fee was supposed to be a charge for "raising a false alarm" but some patients say that it is a way for the hospital to make money off of mothers who are suffering while giving birth, the Independent reports.
This fee comes on top of a flat $50 rate for the delivery itself, which is charged in all Zimbabwean hospitals. While this may not sound like a lot to some, Zimbabwe is one of Africa's poorest countries and the average annual income is about $50. A mother who screams a few times might have to pay more than half of her annual income just for giving birth.
A follow-up report says that women who can't afford to pay the fees can be detained by the hospitals and charged interest until the family is able to pay up.
Due to these charges, many Zimbabwean women choose to give birth at home because they can't afford to the fees. This has caused many problems as the United Nations estimated that an average of eight mothers die every day while giving birth in the country.
According to the Washington Post, the Transparency International's Zimbabwean branch contacted the national health ministry regarding the issue and even sent a formal letter. The health ministry confirmed that they received the letter but nothing was done about the issue. When the branch tried to pursue the organization over the issue, an official claimed that they lost the letter.
A Transparency International member eventually met with Zimbabwe's deputy Prime Minister and they promised to look into the problem. The NGO says that is hasn't heard any more complaints about the $5 screaming fee, but the $50 delivery charge still continues.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
