Bloom – Workmen’s Compensation Fund owes Gauteng hospitals R38m

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom, said Gauteng public hospitals were owed R38.2 million by the Workmen’s Compensation Fund, with some claims dating back to 2001. Bloom said this shocking information was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, in a written reply to his question in the Gauteng Legislature.

Bloom said, “In the last three years, 9 061 claims were lodged by the Gauteng health department for a total value of R17.4 million, but only R3.34 million was paid out by the fund. Workers whose employers are registered with the fund can claim if they are involved in an accident at work or develop an illness caused by working conditions.”

Bloom said according to Mahlangu, the under-recovery was due to insufficient information provided by patients with regard to employers’ details, and employers not completing the relevant employer’s report (WCL 2).

“There is also a lack of response by the fund to the claims submitted,” added Bloom.

He said the health department had appointed a service provider in November last year to assist in the recovery of outstanding claims from the fund, but this measure had clearly failed.

“It is outrageous that so much is owed from the fund, as the money is desperately needed to improve treatment in our hospitals. Effective measures should be taken to ensure that outstanding money is recovered as soon as possible.”

However, health department spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said the department was doing enough to recoup money owed to it by the fund and had put on record that it had submitted invoices to the value of R24 million through its service provider to the fund.

“Invoices to the value of R1.4 million have already been processed and the department expects more payments as the initiative progresses,” Mabona said.

He said the fund had been supportive throughout this process, providing timely feedback and assistance whenever required.