Specialised health care bill prohibitive

Minister of Health and Wellness Dorcus Makgato addresing members of the media at press conference.PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Minister of Health and Wellness Dorcus Makgato addresing members of the media at press conference.PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The cost of medical services borne from patients’ referrals to South African health facilities has shot through the roof, the Ministry of Health and Wellness said yesterday.

A number of external partners, as well as the two local private hospitals are owed an undisclosed amount of monies for rendering specialised services such as complicated oncology procedures and paediatric morphology (renal diseases) and children related ailments, Mmegi learnt yesterday.

Health minister, Dorcas Makgato said they have been able to freeze out some finances to pay, but she divulged that as of last week the situation was bad. Addressing the media on the state of her ministry, she added, “this ministry stresses me, I have to make judgement calls, life and death decisions”.  “The ministry is currently working on reducing escalating cost of referral to South Africa and local private facilities at the same time improving access to specialist care,” she said. However, the minister declined to disclose the amount of the costs the government has incurred in referrals.

Editor's Comment
Our food safety matters

We commend the GCC inspectors for their vigilance in uncovering serious hygiene violations at establishments like Pick 'n Pay (South Ring Mall), Bravo Restaurant (Main Mall), Chicken Twist (Bonnington), Spar (Main Mall Bakery and Butchery), Choppies Butchery, Pie Time, and Fours Bakery. Their decisive action which includes temporary closures, confiscation of unsafe food, and laying charges sends a powerful, necessary message: food safety is...

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