Section 59 Panel has released its finding on racial discrimination by South African medical schemes. Source Image: Council for Medical Aid
The Section 59 Investigation Panel, established to examine claims of racial discrimination by South African medical schemes, has confirmed in its final report that the allegations are valid.
Formed in 2019, the panel was created in response to complaints that certain medical aid schemes were unfairly targeting black healthcare providers during their fraud, waste, and abuse investigations. The affected providers sought intervention from the Minister of Health, which led to the panel’s establishment.
During a press briefing, Panel Chairperson Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi explained that the data they reviewed—specifically the risk ratios—indicated clear racial bias against black service providers by the medical schemes.
Ngcukaitobi emphasized that the panel did not operate like a court of law. He noted they did not review individual cases, hold hearings, or issue rulings under Section 9 of the Constitution or the PEPUDA Act. Instead, their focus was on the broader facts, which ultimately pointed to racial discrimination.
Responding to the findings, Dr. Donald Gumede, Chairperson of the National Healthcare Professionals Association, told Newzroom Afrika that the outcome of the investigation confirms what black healthcare professionals have long believed.
He said the panel’s conclusion brings a sense of validation, as they had suspected and reported the discrimination previously, including to the Human Rights Commission.
Dr. Gumede added that when these concerns were initially raised, the three medical schemes in question dismissed them, accusing the providers of being delusional and out of touch with reality.
About the Author
