EX-POLITICIANS SHOCKED AS MEDICAL AID STOPPED

MBABANE – Former politicians felt that they were important to government while they were in office, however, they now feel dejected.

This, after some former politicians learnt in shock that they were no longer entitled to benefit under the Swaziland Medical Aid Fund as per the provisions of Finance Circular no. 2 of 2013.

The circular provided that medical cover was offered to all Parliamentarians through an approved service provider.
The circular further stated that the medical aid covered all medical costs incurred, with the contribution rates.

However, some ex-politicians who frequently visited pharmacies for medication, were taken by surprise when they were turned back due to lack of money intended for medication in their accounts.
In an interview, the dejected former legislators stated that the pharmacists informed them that the Swaziland Medical Aid Fund was no longer catering for their medication.

The former legislators mentioned that they noted with concern that the contract was terminated after His Majesty King Mswati III dissolved the 10th Parliament.

“I was personally turned back in one of the pharmacies at the Gables in Ezulwini. The pharmacists told me that I was no longer entitled to the medication because SwaziMed was no longer paying for medication,” said Abraham Bhembe, the former Headman of Lobamba Constituency.

Bhembe wondered how SwaziMed arrived at the decision of terminating the contract without informing them as clients.
He said the termination of the contracts had come with great consequences to the former politicians, especially those who were under treatment, with their spouses.

Muzi Phiri, who is the Pigg’s Peak Constituency Headman, shared similar sentiments. However, Phiri said he learnt about the termination of the contract through an email.

Phiri said he didn’t take it any further because he assumed that the termination was in line with the King’s speech at Sibaya.
The former headman stated that he was not sure when the contract ended because it came later in 2014 after they had already assumed office. “I prepared for this in December because I was aware 2017 was our last year in office.

Phumaphi Dlamini, who is Bucopho at Nkhanini, also confirmed that she was turned back at a pharmacy where she had gone to seek medication under the medical fund.

When sought for comment, Minister of Tikhundla Administration and Development Mduduzi ‘Small Joe’ Dlamini said he was not aware of the matter. The minister promised to make a follow-up on the matter.

“If it’s true, it’s painful (uma kuliciniso kubuhlungu),” he said briefly.
It transpired during the interviews that the majority of the former politicians were not aware of the termination of the contract.
However, Mbabane West MP Johane Shongwe, who had been to Parliament for two terms, said it was common that the money that was intended for medication was finished in June.

Shongwe said usually, negotiations were held for the renewal of the contract. He said as far as he was concerned, negotiations were ongoing concerning the renewal of the contract. 
“We are still waiting for the report to see whether the contract is renewed or not since we are left with a few months to officially vacate office. All I know is that the medical aid caters for admission, medication and consultation at private clinics,” he said.

The former MP said he had observed that some clinics did not accept patients once the money for medication was finished.
Other former MPs shared Shongwe’s sentiments that SwaziMed would by no means terminate their medical aid since they were constitutionally in office until September.

The former legislators mentioned that they were still entitled to all benefits until their last payment in September 20, 2018.
SwaziMed Principal Officer Peter Simelane said the company was waiting for government’s guidance on when was the last day of the former legislators in office.

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