LAST week on Friday the Finance Minister presented the national Budget to Parliament, probably more people took notice then than they usually would.
I looked out as I always do for the front page newspaper clipping of the Finance Minister with his wife and the budget brief case. I was not disappointed. Many people are generally indifferent to the budget speech itself, often waiting for the week that follows to hear the interpretation from the people who understand these matters better.
The week after the Budget speech is when you hear the experts, in various long forgotten NGOs coming out of the wood work and giving their interpretation in more user friendly terms. The words like macroeconomic and microeconomic indicators do not exactly resonate with the common man on the street.
However this time, I sensed that people made an effort to really understand what was being said. I was impressed to notice that some local radio stations actually aired the speech live. The question that hang in the air, was, whatever the Minister of Finance said, would it make a difference to the cost of living in my house for the next year.
I also went and checked the bank rates to see if it had registered any impact on the exchange rates. The annual budget speeches are a regular feature of the yearly political landscape, something that people assume politicians do to earn their keep.
However, when the economy dips, as it has done, lately, people begin, to pay more attention and ask the question, what is the plan to get us out of these financial problems. I noticed the ministers speech fell into three sections, the history (the past), the current status (the present) and the response(the future).
So I thought to myself the National Budget, is simply a plan  on how to deal with the economic health of the nation taking stock of the past and trying to project into the future.  So how about if all of us did that for our personal health and the health of our families.
1. What is a personal health budget?
2. Why budget for health?
3. How can I do a personal health budget?
1. What is a personal health budget?
There are many books on health that tell us what we must do to be healthy. They are often very popular as well, because obviously everyone wants to be healthy. There are far fewer books which talk about health and money. They would probably not be very popular either. There is a general belief that though it is my responsibility to be healthy, it is the Government’s responsibility to pay for my health needs.
There is only so much that the Government or anybody else can do to pay for our health care needs. Our strategy should be to reduce health risks, and promote a healthy lifestyle. Health is the most productive area we can invest in as an individual.
We learnt from the budget speech that the Government proposes to spend 8.3 per cent on health. Now before we criticise the Government for under-spending on health, we must answer the question, how much do we budget for our own health each month or year? Is it about eight to 10 per cent, like the Government, or is it zero, and are wellbeing subsidised. Most of us probably do not know because we have never really given it much attention at all.
However, I am certain that we all probably know how much we make as monthly income, as well as our major expenditures. My guess is that for most people their major expenditure is on accommodation, school fees, food and transport in that order.
Learning from the Minister of Finance, we need to put aside something for our own health however small it may be. Even in a situation where health services are largely free. When we do this we will improve our own health and prolong our productive life and ultimately increase our income.
On top of whatever health services we get through the Government system, let us try to belong to a health scheme at our work place and contribute something to a private health insurance scheme if we can.
Between these health safety nets, we will never lack good health support services. However, whatever small amount of money you may be able to set aside for this will be a great start.
You should ask the question, if I spend money on car insurance or home insurance, why can’t I spend a little on health insurance? So take some trouble to look around for a private medical insurance scheme, in which you or your employer can pay an annual premium to ensure you have some financial support for health.
When you enter employment for the first time, make it your business to negotiate for a health insurance scheme, which will support the health needs of your family. This is especially critical when you have a young growing family. When you have a wife, who may get pregnant and you have children below five years of age your health care needs are likely to be high.
When your age exceeds 35 years your health needs also increase, because the body parts, begin to suffer a natural wear and tear. Remember that it costs more to pay out of pocket health expenses, rather than to have a prepaid scheme. You do not want to get into debit in order to meet urgent health needs.
2. Why budget for health?
Wherever I go into the many bookshops scattered around the country, I try to look out for books written by Zambians. It is a good habit and helps to support the local book market. However I am often disappointed that they are so few books, written by local Zambian writers. I have noted though an increasing number of motivational books, and quite a few on the subject of money.
In reading some of these books, I have learnt that the key to success is having a plan. If that is the case then it should be added, that the key to being healthy is to have a health plan. Many people who teach on wealth creation, would say, identify your assets and invest in them. If you thing about it, your biggest asset is yourself and your health. If you are healthy, then you will be able to generate a reasonable income for yourself and your family. So challenge yourself with the question how much investment have you put in your health. You must certainly invest in a healthy life style. What is on your budget this year to increase the amount of exercise hours you have every week.
To answer the question directly, first of all the health risks in Zambia as a developing country are quiet high. There isa high level of infections in the community. Diseases such as Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV, STIs and so on, to which we are all prone. There is an increased risk of diseases of life style such as sugar disease, BP(hypertension), heart Attack, stroke  and cancers to name a few.
If you are a women, your risk of ill health is increased by pregnancy and if you have children under 5years there health risks are also high. The health services are constrained by a severe human resource shortage and a low level of health facilities inspite the best intentions of the Government.
When we invest in our health through work place, or hospital or private insurance scheme we not only guarantee our own health, but we but money at the disposal of the health system, which can be used to improve the health systems. Have you ever thought to ask, why the health systems, in Indian, South Africa, USA are so good. Well it is because these health systems are supported not only be public finance from the governments, but also from strong health insurance systems.
Beside all this it is cheaper for you as an individual to pay into a health scheme which builds up and is able to support you when you are unwell. Contrast this to the situation, where you suddenly fall sick and have to pack a large medical bill at private clinics, in South Africa and Indian at very short notice. Many patients have had to sale property in order to recoup their health in such times of crisis.
3. How can I do a personal health budget?
Sets some simple targets, the strategy is reduce your health risks and invest in healthier activities. Move money from what you save in reducing health risks to what you can invest in a healthier life styles. You will know your own life style better than anyone, however the table below gives a rough guide.
Save a small amount monthly and invest in a health scheme for you and your family. You can reduce things that increase your health risk and move the saving into the investment column. The table below illustrates some of these ideas.