Civil Servants Want Parliament To Investigate PSMAS
Civil servants have urged Parliament to investigate the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) to establish the cause for the closure of health facilities owned by its subsidiary, Premier Service Medical Investments (PSMI).
PSMAS provides medical cover for almost all State employees as well as other people who are not members of the civil service.
According to The Herald, civil servants’ premiums are subsided by the government while PSMAS members outside the civil service pay a higher tariff as they do not get a Government subsidy.
The closure of PSMI clinics, pharmacies and hospitals has forced members to move into the private sector and make co-payments even when their cards are accepted.
Representatives of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (formerly Apex Council) on Monday appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
Speaking before the Committee, ZCPSTU secretary general David Dzatsunga said the situation has become dire for civil servants. He said:
When it comes to PSMAS, most of the PSMI institutions are closed and the situation has become dire for civil servants who cannot afford the high tariffs charged by private doctors and institutions.
… As a committee you can engage with the regulator of medical aid societies (Ministry of Health and Child Care, Air Commodore Dr. Jasper Chimedza), PSMAS and the Public Service Commission.
These are the institutions you may want to engage and get to know what exactly is going on.
PSMAS and its subsidiaries have also failed to pay workers for several months, with the bulk of company resources reportedly being channeled to management welfare.
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