State-of-the-art Mwaiwathu Hospital is probably one of the country's most expensive hospitals. Yet over half the patients at the hospital do not pay for consultation and only have to pay 20% or less of the rest of the bill.

"Indeed, Professor Wirima and the rest of our Medical specialists will see you for free if you are a member of the Medical Aid Society of Malawi (MASM)," says the hospital's Finance Manager, George Matekenya referring to Prof. Jack Wirima and his star-studded medical team comprising resident gynaecology and obstetrics specialists, Prof. Sungani, and Dr. Mhango, paediatricians Dr. Mrs. Borgestein and Dr. Mbvundula, orthopaedist Dr. Nyengo Mkandawire, surgeon Dr. Matekenya says MASM members form over 60% of the patients visiting the hospital, well above the company and self-sponsored patients put together.

"We feel very comfortable dealing with MASM members because we are always certain that even if the patient struggles to pay his or her shortfall, which is rare, we will still recover 80-90% of the bill depending on the patient,s scheme category," Matekenya explains.

According to him, company-sponsored transactions are susceptible to payment deals while those paying on cash basis are most likely not to meet all their obligations and will often resort to negotiated terms.

"Cash is always elusive even to the most affluent of people," says Matekenya adding that there are times when the hospital has been forced to ask for security.

On a happy note, Matekenya recalls on incident where one patient accumulated a bill in excess of one million kwacha.

"No one panicked simply because he was a MASM member and, indeed, he walked out of the hospital with a smile after only paying his shortfall." says Matekenya.